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The Digest:

World champion hurdler Tobi Amusan has revealed she felt the weight of Nigeria on her shoulders as she raced to a silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Tokyo. The athlete described her performance as part of a "mission for Nigeria" that transcended personal ambition.

Key Points:
  • Amusan finished second with 12.29s, behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji (12.24s).
  • She acknowledged battling “PTSD” from her fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics four years ago.
  • The athlete credited her support system, coach, family, and fans for sustaining her through recent setbacks.
  • Amusan emphasized that her faith and request for “mercy” carried her through the intensely competitive final.
  • She revealed her dramatic haircut was a practical decision to save time, not a symbolic gesture.
  • This silver marks Nigeria’s 12th medal in World Championships history.
  • Amusan remains grateful to “show up” consistently on the global stage, regardless of outcome.
This performance underscores the immense psychological and emotional burden shouldered by elite athletes representing nations with soaring expectations.

Sources: The PUNCH, Post-Race Interviews