Tobi Amusan begins World Championships title defence in Budapest

Nigerian sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan is poised to commence her defense of the 100m women’s hurdles title at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. This exciting event is scheduled for Tuesday, today.

Amusan is set to take to the track precisely at 6:12pm Nigerian time, marking her appearance at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest.

Filled with enthusiasm, the 26-year-old athlete received a boost last week when she was granted permission by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to participate in the Championships. This clearance followed a resolution of a Whereabouts Failure Charge.

Hailing from Ogun State, Amusan has been allocated lane four in the first round’s final heat. Her objective is to secure one of the four automatic spots for the semi-finals. Her heat will include the presence of Megan Tapper, the Jamaican Olympics bronze medalist.

In the previous edition of the World Athletics Championships held in Oregon, United States of America, Amusan commenced her journey with a 12.40 African record. She then delivered an astonishing performance, shattering Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record of 12.20 with a remarkable 12.12 sprint.

Subsequently, Amusan made history by clinching the gold medal in the final event, marking her as Nigeria’s first-ever world outdoor champion.