Tobi Amusan Leads Team Nigeria to Gold at African Championships in 4x100m

Tobi Amusan anchored the women’s 4x100m relay of Nigeria to gold at the just-concluded 2024 African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon.

This victory marks a triumphant comeback for Amusan, who had earlier been forced to withdraw from the women’s 100m hurdles due to illness.

Tobi Amusan is a Nigerian track and field athlete who specialises in the 100-metre hurdles and also competes in the sprint. Amusan holds the current world record in the 100-metre hurdles with a time of 12.12 seconds, which she set at the 2022 women’s 100-metre hurdles semi-finals in Eugene, Oregon. She is the current Commonwealth and African champion in the 100-metre hurdles, as well as the meet record holder in both events. Amusan became the first ever Nigerian world champion and world record holder in an athletics event, winning the 2022 World Championships 100 m hurdles gold medal, setting the current world record of 12.12 seconds in the semi-final, followed by a 12.06 seconds.

The Nigerian quartet consisted of Justina Eyakpobeya, Tima Godbless, Olayinka Olajide, and Tobi Amusan. Their dominant display pulled the competition out of town by a wide margin. Having won in 12.12 seconds, the world record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, collected the baton, eased clear of opposition, and ran across the finish line in 42.72 seconds.

Liberia and Ghana finished with silver and bronze, respectively, as the nation’s men’s 4 × 100m relay team won a silver medal, finishing behind Ghana but ahead of Côte d’Ivoire.

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Amusan’s recovery and performance were truly exceptional, solidifying her as one of the world’s best athletes, whose leadership and speed made all the difference in Nigeria’s relay victory.

However, the Nigerian men’s 4x100m relay foursome could not emulate their women’s triumph, finishing second after being beaten to the gold medal by Ghana in 38.63 seconds. Côte d’Ivoire received a consolation bronze.