Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan came agonisingly close to reclaiming the top of the hurdles world, but it was Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji who stole the headlines in Tokyo with a race that stunned the global athletics stage.
In Monday’s women’s 100m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, the 23-year-old Swiss stormed to a national record 12.24s, holding off Amusan’s powerful surge (12.29s) to claim her first world title. Grace Stark of the United States secured bronze in 12.34s.
For Amusan, it was a bittersweet podium — silver on the world’s biggest stage, but missing the gold by fractions of a second. Nigeria’s queen of the hurdles still stood tall, delivering another performance that reaffirmed her place among the very best.
“I gave everything out there. The margins were fine, and today wasn’t my gold. But to be here, to be fighting for Nigeria, to be on the podium again — I am proud,” Amusan said afterward, visibly emotional.
Olympic champion Masai Russell of the United States faltered, finishing fourth in 12.44 after a sluggish start, while Jamaica’s Danielle Williams — the 2023 world champion — clipped a hurdle and finished near the back.
Kambundji herself was stunned. “It’s crazy,” she admitted, tears streaming as she saw her name atop the scoreboard. “I knew I had it in me, but I was surprised because every woman in that race could have won.”
For Amusan, the Tokyo silver adds another layer to an already glittering career — the former world champion and record holder remains Nigeria’s brightest star in athletics, carrying the nation’s hopes into every meet.
Analysts say her composure and consistency despite fierce global competition prove why she remains a perennial medal contender. And in Tokyo, even in silver, Amusan once again made sure the Nigerian flag flew high.
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