Amusan seeks fourth 100m hurdles final in a row, Nathaniel in heat five of 400m hurdles first round

World 100m hurdles record holder, Tobi Amusan, will run from lane four in the second semifinal heat of the event as the Nigerian bids for a fourth consecutive appearance in the final.

To achieve this, the 28-year-old former World Champion must overcome a formidable trio: Dutch speedster Nadine Visser, who clocked an impressive 12.28 personal best in pouring rain at the Silesia Diamond League meet in Poland last month; Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska, with a season’s best of 12.51; and Alaysha Johnson of the USA, who has run 12.32 this year.

All three will be running outside Amusan in the heat. The Nigerian looks well positioned to claim one of the two automatic qualifying spots as she aims to reclaim the 100m hurdles title she lost two years ago in Budapest, Hungary.

Amusan made history in 2022 as the first Nigerian to win a World outdoor title and the first African to win the 100m hurdles crown, storming to victory in a wind-aided 12.06 at the 18th edition of the championships in Oregon, USA.

Also on Monday, Nathaniel Ezekiel is expected to comfortably secure one of the four automatic qualifying spots in the fifth and final heat of the men’s 400m hurdles first round.

The 22-year-old Nigerian has enjoyed a breakout season, winning the NCAA final and setting a new national record of 47.31 seconds.

Ezekiel is aiming to become the first Nigerian man since 1987 to reach the final of the 400m hurdles at the World Championships. The last to do so was Henry Amike, who finished sixth in the final that year.