After two fruitless attempts in 1991 and 2007, Nigeria celebrated her first medal on Japanese soil yesterday, thanks to World Record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, who won a silver medal at the 20th World Athletics Championships.
As of yesterday, it was Nigeria’s solitary medal in the athletics extravaganza. This is the third time the World Athletics Championships is holding in Japan, and in the previous two editions (in Tokyo in 1991 and Osaka in 2007), Nigeria failed to win a single medal. At the 11th edition in 2007 held at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Nigerian athletes failed to make any podium appearance, and in 1991, Nigeria’s best achievement was Davidson Ezinwa getting to the quarterfinal in 100m.
But the story changed yesterday in Tokyo, when Amusan rose to the occasion, grabbing a silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles, marking her first podium finish since her historic world title in 2022.
Amusan clocked 12.28 seconds to finish second behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stormed to gold in a National Record of 12.24s. Grace Stark of the United States settled for bronze in 12.34s, while fellow American Masai Russell narrowly missed the podium in fourth with 12.44s.
Amusan had shown strong form throughout the competition, winning her opening heat in 12.53 seconds before storming to a 12.36s (-0.2) victory in the semifinals.
In the final, she battled a field that included Grace Stark (USA), Masai Russell (USA), Danielle Williams (Jamaica), Ditaji Kambundji (Switzerland), Nadine Visser (Netherlands), Devynne Charlton (Bahamas), and Pia Skrzyszowska (Poland).
Officials of Team Nigeria celebrated Amusan’s silver medal late into the night in Tokyo yesterday.
Before the victory yesterday evening, there was a strained relationship between Amusan and officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) following a viral video in which she accused the AFN of providing ‘incomplete’ competition wears without a competition bag, spikes, and trainers or tennis shoes to them. Things took a dangerous dimension when the AFN fought back at Amusan, accusing her of raising unnecessary alarm, and that she had no reason to complain since she was provided a business class ticket to fly to Tokyo.
Sensing trouble, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, quickly arranged a meeting between the athletes, including Amusan, and top officials of the AFN in the early hours of yesterday.
“I had to meet with Team Nigeria and AFN today (yesterday) and a lot was cleared and settled,” Olopade said in a message to The Guardian shortly before Amusan’s final race.
And after the race, an enated Olopade put a call across to The Guardian, applauding Amusan for her performance.
“I must commend Tobi Amusan for this great performance. I am sure many Nigerians back home are excited about this ‘golden silver.’ I am sure the Presidency has a great reward for Amusan.
Olopade had earlier presented cash and a birthday gift to sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi, who wrote his name in the history books by becoming the first Nigerian man in 18 years to qualify for a World Championships 100m final. Olopade described Amusan’s silver medal performance as a moment of national pride and a testament to her enduring excellence.
‘Tobi Amusan has made Nigeria proud once again. Winning silver at the World Championships is no small feat, and doing so with such class shows her world-class ability and resilience. She remains a symbol of hope, determination, and excellence for our nation. The entire country stands tall in celebration of her achievement,’ Olopade stated.
She is now the second Nigerian athlete to win two medals in the same event at the World Championships, following long jumper Ese Brume, who previously secured both silver and bronze in her discipline.
Amusan also joins Brume and Blessing Okagbare as the only Nigerians to have won two medals in World Championships history. Okagbare achieved her double medal feat at the 2015 edition in Beijing, China.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s focus will be on Ezekiel Nathanial tomorrow as he attempts to win a medal in the 400m hurdles event.
