Amusan Kicks Off 2026 Season Strong
Nigeria’s sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan started her 2026 season with a second-place finish in the women’s 200m at the Velocity Fest in Jamaica, clocking a season’s best time of 23.25 seconds.
Amusan, primarily known for her dominance in the 100m hurdles, showed her versatility by competing in the 200m event. Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah claimed the top spot with a time of 22.61 seconds, while Ackera Nugent, also from Jamaica, finished third in 23.35 seconds.
Jamaica’s Speed Challenges Amusan
Amusan’s finish marked her first competitive outing since the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where she secured silver as Nigeria’s sole medalist. Despite the competition from two seasoned Jamaican sprinters, Amusan’s performance provides a glimpse into her potential ahead of a packed international schedule.
Focus Shifts to Prefontaine Classic
Amusan is preparing for her next big competition, returning to her specialist 100m hurdles event at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on July 4. This Diamond League fixture is expected to showcase a world-class line-up, including Olympic champion Masai Russell, two-time world champion Danielle Williams, and World Championships bronze medalist Grace Stark.
Eugene Memories and Record Ambitions
The Prefontaine Classic holds a special place in Amusan’s career. It was here that she set the current 100m hurdles world record of 12.12 seconds during the 2022 World Championships. Additionally, Amusan returned in 2023 to claim the Diamond League final crown, marking three consecutive wins in the event from 2021 to 2023.
With the upcoming season stacked with major competitions, Amusan continues to solidify her position as one of the leading figures in women’s sprint hurdles.
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