Amusan to open 2025 Diamond League campaign in Xiamen, China

Like she did in 2024, World 100m hurdles record holder (12.12), Tobi Amusan will begin the battle towards reclaiming her Diamond League title at the opening leg of the money-spinning athletics’ elite one day meeting in Xiamen, China.

The petite Nigerian shut down her season after failing to hurdle past the semifinals of the 100m hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a decision that ensured she could not qualify for the final of the event in Brussels, Belgium to defend her title.

With the Diamond League meetings ending before the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, this September, Amusan will be keen to use the event to prepare for the second chance she will be getting to reclaim the World 100m hurdles title she lost two years ago in Budapest, Hungary.

Amusan, now training with Glen Mills, the man who coached Usain Bolt to multiple world records and World titles, has not competed in the high hurdles so far this season and she will be eager to make a huge statement about her intentions for rest of the year.

The reigning African Games and Commonwealth Games champion ran 12.58 to finish fifth last year in Xiamen and she will be open to run faster this time around in an event that has thrown up a couple of world class stars including reigning Olympic champion, Masai Russell of the USA and Jamaican, Ackera Nugent, the fastest woman in the event (12.24) last year.

Both Russell and Nugent are not listed in the provisional entry list released by the organisers on Tuesday but two-time World indoor champion and world record holder in the 60m hurdles, Devynee Charlton of the Bahamas will be on parade.

Also listed are 2019 World champion, Nia Ali of the USA, two-time World champion, Danielle Williams of Jamaica and Paris 2024 Olympics finalist, Grace Stark of the USA.