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Tobi Amusan is one Nigerian athlete who has risen through several challenges to etch her name in the history books.
It’s over a year since Tobi Amusan took the world by storm, setting a new world record for the 100m hurdle at the World Athletics Championship in Oregon.
The 26-year-old broke the previous 12.20s record, setting a new 12.2s during her semi-final run at the Championship. She also went on to win gold in a time of 12.06s but this wasn’t ratified because of the too much tailwind.
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10:34 - 24.09.2023
Tobi Amusan smiles to the bank, earns N55 million after Diamond League success
Nigeria’s Track and Field Queen Tobi Amusan has deepened her purse after she pocketed tens of millions for her success at the Diamnd League.
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10:37 - 18.09.2023
Tobi Amusan back with a bang: Nigerian Track and Field Queen makes Diamond League history
Nigeria’s Queen of Track and Field Tobi Amusan, set a new record by winning her race in the just concluded Diamond League (Eugene 2023).
Tobi Amusan battled depression
Interestingly, having failed to make a podium finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, coupled with the disappointment at the 2019 World Championships, Tobi Amusan battled depression.
While preparing for subsequent events, her fear of finishing fourth again despite putting in all the work troubled her, and she was also wondering what if.
During an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, Tobi Amusan opened up on her fears and how she almost gave up on athletics.
“Two Olympics, and three World Championships, every year we put in the work and it’s always a fourth-place finish or semi-finals,” she said. “So, every Championship year I had like trauma- what if I come in fourth place again?”
“Last year I almost gave up on track. I came back from the Olympics, and I went straight into depression mode for weeks,” she said.
Unknown but determined to excel
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Before Tobi Amusan became the face of Nigerian athletics and a global icon, she was relatively unknown, but her resolve to get to the very top remained unflinching.
In November 2016, during the days of her humble beginnings, Tobi Amusan tweeted that although she is unknown at that moment, she would persist until she succeeds and become unforgettable.
True to her words, the Ogun state-born hurdler did just, although it took her six solid years of hard work, sweat, and blood. She did get to the top!
Another trophy after AIU troubles
Back in July, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) provisionally suspended Tobi Amusan for allegedly missing three whereabouts tests.
However, Tobi Amusan denied the allegations, and after a tribunal absolved her of any wrongdoing, she was cleared to participate at the World Championships in Budapest just a few days before the event.
Unfortunately, the off-field incidents affected the Nigerian, and she could only muster a sixth-place finish at the final of the 100m hurdle -missing out on defending her title.
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21:27 - 17.08.2023
Tobi Amusan: Nigerian world record holder is finally cleared of doping violation
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has finally been cleared of doping allegations, and her provisional suspension lifted.
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09:47 - 19.09.2023
Tobi Amusan: AIU refuses to give up, files appeal to upturn her tribunal victory
The athletics body has refused to give up on nailing Nigerian sprinter Tobi Amusan.
Tobi Amusan had another opportunity to redeem herself, and she took it with both hands. The Nigerian returned to the podium, winning the Diamond League trophy.
The 26-year-old clocked a season-best time of 12.33s to win the Diamond League trophy a third consecutive time, joining America's Dawn Harper-Nelson, who won the prestigious title between 2012-2014.
Final Thoughts
AIU has dragged Tobi Amusan to the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) after a disciplinary tribunal cleared the Nigerian hurdler.
Amusan is a cat with nine lives, and it’s expected that she will come out of this stronger and put in an outstanding performance at 2024 Paris Olympics.
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