Amusan raises Nigeria’s medal hope, strolls into semifinal in Budapest

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan (C) crosses the finish line ahead of Jamaica’s Megan Tapper (R) and Netherlands’ Maayke Tjin-A-Lim in the women’s 100m hurdles heats during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 22, 2023. (Photo: AFP)

Nigeria’s Tobiloba ‘Tobi’ Amusan, the world record holder in the 100 metres hurdles, has given a significant boost to the country’s medal hopes at the ongoing World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, as she smoothly navigated the qualification rounds on Tuesday, demonstrating her prowess on the track.

Competing for the first time after receiving clearance from a panel established by World Athletics to review her suspension by the Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU), Amusan captured the attention of spectators at the National Athletics Stadium in Budapest.

The Ogun State-born Amusan did not disappoint the fans, as she finished the race in 12.48sec ahead of other competitors, and in the process securing a spot in the semifinals.

Positioned in lane four, outside the Olympics bronze medal winner, Megan Tapper of Jamaica, Amusan embarked on her quest to defend her World title in the fifth and final heat of the first round.

The reigning Nigeria, African, Commonwealth and Diamond League champion is seeking to be one of the four automatic qualifiers for the semifinals.

Amusan is aiming to successfully defend her title to complete a successful defence of all five titles she has won.

The Guardian learnt, Tuesday morning, that the United States had dispatched a top sports psychologist to Team Nigeria’s camp in Budapest to work on Amusan, particularly with the view of erasing the trauma of her suspension by the AIU over the Whereabouts Failures charge.

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