Amusan gets fresh Russell, Nugent, Samba-Mayela, Stark hurdles in race for Olympics 100m hurdles gold
Tobi Amusan will have to scale over fresh hurdles that have been put on her way as she bids to make history as the first Nigerian track and field athlete to win the Olympics and World title as well as the first to win a track event gold in the history of Nigeria’s participation in the quadrennial event.
The USA and Jamaican track and field championships have thrown up some new names among those that will fly their respective flag in the 100m hurdles at the Olympics with two of the names running inside 12.30 seconds with just about a month to the start of the athletics event at the Paris Games.
Masai Russell ran 12.35 and 12.36 in the opening round heat and semifinals before storming to a 12.25 world lead to win the USA Championships title and confirm her seat on the plane to Paris.
It is the fastest time in the world since Kendra Harrison ran 12.24 in the opening round of the event at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary last August.
Ackera Nugent also proved what the Americans can do, the Jamaicans can also do.. or nearly do. The 22 year old sped to a 12.28 finish to win the Jamaican Championships title.
Two other Americans, Alaysha Johnson and 2024 NCAA champion, Grace Stark also stormed to 12.31 finishes equaling the 12.31 French girl, Cyréna Samba-Mayela ran to win the European Championships earlier last month.
Three of the Nigerian’s familiar foes Harrison, Nia Ali and Megan Tapper will not be in Paris for the event but defending champion, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn will be there and, like Amusan, will have to watch over her shoulders for the ‘new’ challengers.
There is also Danielle Williams, the reigning world champion and Charlton Devynne, the reigning World indoor champion and record holder to contend with.
Amusan holds a 12.40 personal season’s best and now knows she will have to run faster than this to stand a chance of making history in Paris albeit she holds a 3-1 head to head record over Russell while she and Nugent have met just twice with a 1-1 record.
The Nigerian set a 12.12 world record in 2022 and has ran 12.29, 12.30, 12.33, 12.34 and 12.35 since then with the last three ran last year on her her way to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
