Oluwatobiloba Amusan, the world record holder in hurdles, expressed her gratitude to God as she concluded her season on a high note by securing her third consecutive Wanda Diamond League title. Competing in the fiercely contested 100m hurdles event in Oregon on Sunday night, Amusan outperformed a strong field, including Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Kendra Harrison, Danielle Williams, Nia Ali, Tia Jones, Megan Tapper, and others. She clocked a season’s best time of 12.33 seconds to claim victory, with Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico finishing second in 12.38 seconds, and American Keni Harrison taking third place in 12.44 seconds.
Amusan’s achievement marks a historic moment in Diamond League history, as she becomes only the second woman, after Dawn Nelson-Harper, to secure three consecutive 100m hurdles titles. Notably, she accomplished this feat on the same track where she won last year’s world championship and set the current world record of 12.12 seconds at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
Following her impressive performance, Amusan reflected on her race strategy, emphasizing her reliance on faith and determination. She acknowledged the significance of the track in Eugene, attributing her success to a strong sense of conviction.
At 26 years old, Amusan joins the ranks of American athlete Dawn Nelson-Harper, who achieved the same feat in 2012, 2013, and 2014. She expressed deep gratitude to God and dedicated the victory to her coach, fans, and family for their unwavering support throughout the challenging season.
This triumph marks a triumphant conclusion to the year for Amusan, who faced setbacks in defending her world title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last month. Despite finishing 6th in the final, Amusan’s exceptional performance in Oregon demonstrated her resilience and determination.
In 2021, Amusan made history as the first Nigerian to secure a Diamond League title, setting an African record with a time of 12.42 seconds. She continued her impressive streak by defending her Diamond League 100m hurdles title in Zurich, breaking a 22-year-old meeting record and setting a winning time of 12.29 seconds.
Amusan’s outstanding achievements extend to the world stage, where she established the current world record for the women’s 100m hurdles at 12.12 seconds during the 2022 World Athletics Championships. She also retained her Commonwealth Games title with a new Games’ record of 12.30 seconds, showcasing a dominant season that included victories in the Nigerian, African, Commonwealth, World, and Diamond League competitions.
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, commended Amusan on her victory and praised her resilience in overcoming challenges throughout the year. He emphasized the support of the Nigerian government for athletes aiming to represent the country on the international stage.
Looking ahead, Amusan expressed her focus on competing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and other upcoming events. She expressed gratitude to God and reflected on the significance of this season’s accomplishments.