Tobi Amusan ran a world-leading 12.40 seconds (0.9m/s) to win the 100m hurdles at Saturday’s inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston.
The world record holder claimed the win ahead of Danielle Williams, the world champion who ran a season’s best 12.46 seconds, and American Christina Clemons who was third with 12.54 seconds.
The Nigerian has now taken over the world lead from American Tonea Marshall who had run 12.42 seconds in late April.
Amusan’s latest win comes two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics.
John Enoh, the minister of sports development, took to X to congratulate the pace-setter over the feat.
“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you,” the minister’s post reads in part.
The 26-year-old recently set a new African record of 7.77s in the 60m hurdles event at the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan, breaking the 25-year-old record held by Gloria Alozie.
She is expected to spearhead the Nigerian contingent’s hopes for gold medals at the Olympics set to commence on July 26 at France’s national stadium.
