Ajunwa: Amusan deserves recognition for World Championship feat

Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa, has called for national recognition for sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan following her silver medal win at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.

Amusan was the only Nigerian athlete to reach the podium at the global event, clocking an impressive 12.29 seconds in the final of the women’s 100m hurdles.

Ajunwa, speaking on Brila FM on Thursday, emphasized that Amusan’s achievement at the World Championships merits the same level of honour and celebration as the Super Falcons received after their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) triumph in Morocco.

In July, President Bola Tinubu conferred the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on the Falcons, alongside a $100,000 cash reward and a three-bedroom apartment in Abuja.

Referencing the grand reception held for the football team, Ajunwa, who herself was awarded the Member of the Order of Niger (MON) by the late General Sani Abacha, argued that Amusan’s global success deserves equal, if not greater, recognition.

‘One thing we should understand is we shouldn’t start what we cannot finish,’ Ajunwa said.

‘She is a world champion. I don’t know what was done for her when she broke the world record, but having gone to the World Championships and won a medal, there should definitely be something given to her.’

Ajunwa stressed that the World Championships carry more prestige than many continental tournaments, including WAFCON.

‘She won silver at the World Championships. If she says she needs something, I think she’s right. Everybody knows that the World Championships are even bigger than the Nations Cup.
‘Nevertheless, I believe she should be considered. Nigeria is not a country that remembers things.’