Tobi Amusan: A path to World Record ‘constructed’ in Warri

“On occasions like this, we will not forget the days of small beginnings. Our modest efforts helped to expose and nurture these athletes. I took some decisions against all odds, but I am glad their sporting career have taken good shape.”

Those were the words of Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (Rtd), former Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), shortly after sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan, broke a world record at the World Athletics Championship, which ended yesterday morning in Oregon, United States.

Just when many athletics followers thought that Nigeria could return from Oregon empty handed following the failure by the team’s men and women sprinters in their respective events, Amusan came to the party with a huge surprise, winning gold medal in the 100m hurdles, the first ever by a Nigerian in the history of the World Athletics Championships.

Apart from being Nigeria’s first ever gold medallist in the championship, Amusan’s 12.06 seconds mark, wind-added (+2.5 m/s), was the first in 36 years. It was the fourth world record set in women’s hurdles. The first two world records were set back in 1969, when Nigeria was still fighting its civil war. Then, women hurdles were moving up from the 80 metres to the present day 100 metres.

Nesiama, who is in the current board of the AFN and NNPP Senatorial candidate for Delta South Senatorial District, said: “Our true labour of love shall never go unrewarded and this is one of such. Cheers to all the unsung heroes that have always worked faithfully behind the scenes. To God be the glory.”

He recalled how the journey started: “What a great feat achieved by the duo of Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume, winning gold and silver medals at the World Championships in Athletics