Tobi Amusan Wins Silver in Tokyo Says She Carried Nigeria on Her Back
World record holder Tobi Amusan has revealed the pressure she felt representing Nigeria after winning silver in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships. Amusan finished the race in 12.29 seconds, coming second behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who set a national record of 12.24s, while America’s Grace Stark took bronze in 12.34s.
The Nigerian star, who won gold at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, said the race was not just about personal success but also about carrying the weight of national expectation. “I put the whole country on my back, but this is bigger than me. It’s a mission first for Nigeria and for the world, but I also do it for myself,” she said.
Amusan admitted that competing in Tokyo brought back memories of disappointment from four years ago when she finished fourth at the Olympics in the same city. She said she promised herself not to leave Tokyo empty-handed again, and while she had hoped for gold, she was grateful to secure silver this time.
The 28-year-old described her journey in recent years as tough, with more setbacks than wins, but she credited her coach, family, mentors, fans, and loved ones for keeping her motivated. She explained that every medal she wins is also for those who have stood by her throughout her career.
Reflecting on the competition, Amusan noted how difficult it was to race in such a strong field. She said she leaned on her faith for strength, constantly reminding herself that “it’s not of the swift but of God to show mercy.” According to her, winning silver in such a competitive line-up showed how much her hard work paid off.
She also spoke about her performance, saying she was confident she would run a strong time after recording her season’s best earlier in the year. “Running 12.29s for silver, we’ll take it. It could be better, but we’ll take it,” she added.
Away from the track, Amusan debuted a new shaved look this season. She explained that the decision was for convenience, as her busy training schedule left her with no time for salon visits. “I just woke up one day tired of going back and forth to the salon, so I chopped it off. Now no stress, no drama,” she said.
Her silver medal adds to Nigeria’s tally at the World Championships, making it the country’s 12th medal in the history of the competition. For Amusan, the medal represents resilience, faith, and her commitment to carrying Nigeria proudly on the global stage.
