Adaobi Tabugo runs new lifetime best as Nia Ali storms to victory in Florida
Nigeria’s Adaobi Tabugo ran a new 13.02 lifetime best to place third in the 100m hurdles at the Tom Jones Invitational meet in Florida on Saturday.
The 22 year old who swicthed allegiance from the USA to Nigeria in December 2021 and became eligible to compete for her fatherland from January 1, 2022 has now moved joint ninth with Ime Akpan in the Nigerian all-time list.
Seeing as the perfect replacement for Tobi Amusan, Tabugo is also close to becoming the eighth Nigerian to break 13 seconds in the event after Amusan, Glory Alozie, Angela Atiede, Taiwo Aladefa, Josephine Onyia, Toyin Augustus and the ‘imported Nigerian’ Lindsay Lindley.
Meanwhile, 2019 World champion, Nia Ali won the event, storming to a 12.44 world lead ahead of Tonea Marshal (12.45) and Christina Clemons (12.51).
Reigning World champion, Danielle Williams of Jamaica was ranked fourth in the final classification.
Interestingly, Ali will not be part of the party at the opening leg of the 2024 Diamond League season in Xiamen next weekend and seven days later in Zizhou while Williams will have to prove her title winning feat at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary last year was not by happenstance.
