At a Glance
- Tobi Amusan is Africa’s first world hurdles champion and 100-meter hurdles record holder.
- She won three consecutive Diamond League titles, showcasing consistent dominance in global athletics.
- Amusan inspires Africa with resilience, speed, and record-breaking performances on the world stage.
Tobi Amusan, a Nigerian track and field athlete, has grown from a promising teenager into one of the defining athletes of modern track and field. She is a world champion and world-record holder in the 100-meter hurdles, a three-time Diamond League winner, and a constant fixture on international podiums.
For Nigeria and much of Africa, her success has become a point of pride, the kind of story that binds sports and national identity.
From Ijebu-Ode to the world stage
Born Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan on April 23, 1997, in Ijebu-Ode, she found her way into athletics early. Her speed and determination carried her through the youth and junior ranks, setting the stage for her first major senior breakthrough at the 2015 African Games.
A move to the U.S. collegiate system added polish to her natural talent, sharpening her speed and race technique.
Rising star in Commonwealth colors
Amusan’s first global statement came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, where she won the hurdles and helped Nigeria to a relay medal.
She returned at Birmingham in 2022, defending her crown and setting a new Games record — a signal that she was ready to compete with the very best.
Diamond League consistency
On the international circuit, Amusan has been a model of consistency. She claimed the Diamond League 100-meter hurdles title in 2021, 2022, and 2023, often facing the top names in Europe and North America and proving she could deliver across an entire season.
World record in Eugene
Her most celebrated night came at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. In the semifinal she ran 12.12 seconds — a world record — before winning gold in the final. It was Nigeria’s first-ever world title in the event. “It’s a dream come true,” Amusan said afterward, summing up years of effort and sacrifice.
Silver in Tokyo
She followed up at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo with a silver medal, clocking 12.29 seconds in a close race behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji. The result underscored her ability to stay at the forefront of a highly competitive event.
Continental dominance
At home in Africa, Amusan has been nearly untouchable. She won gold at the African Games as a teenager in Brazzaville in 2015 and repeated in Rabat and Accra. She has also collected multiple African Championship titles, making her the face of the hurdles across the continent.
Trials and vindication
Her career has not been without setbacks. In 2023, she faced a provisional suspension over alleged whereabouts failures. After a lengthy process, the Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared her in 2024, ruling that one of the three alleged missed tests was not valid. The decision allowed her to compete again and restore trust in her record.
Technique and recognition
Amusan’s style blends a fast start with sharp hurdle clearance and strong finishing speed, qualities that have helped her consistently break the 12.3-second mark. At home, her achievements were honored when she was named an Officer of the Order of the Niger in 2022.
More than medals
For many young athletes, Amusan represents more than statistics. She speaks openly about faith, focus and resilience, messages that resonate with fans who see in her a reminder that persistence can change circumstances.
A career still unfolding
From Ijebu-Ode to world records, Amusan has already rewritten expectations for Nigerian track and field. Each season she lines up, she carries the weight of possibility — not only for herself but for a generation watching her run.
