Nigerian Tobi Amusan claimed gold in the women’s 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Amusan’s gold medal came hours after smashing the world record in the semifinals on Sunday. The Nigerian went even faster to win the final nearly two hours later.

In the first track event of the final session of the 10th day of competition, Amusan streaked to a winning time of 12.12 seconds in the first of three semi-finals.

It smashed the previous best of 12.20sec set by American Kendra Harrison in 2016. Harrison was also in the first semi-final, finishing second in 12.27sec.

The previous championship record was 12.28sec set by Australian Sally Pearson in Daegu in 2011.

Amusan had set an African record of 12.40sec on Saturday to win her heat, the fastest first-round time in world championships history.

The Nigerian, who came fourth at the Tokyo Olympics and the last worlds in Doha in 2019, won the gold medal in 12.06.

AFP