Tobi Amusan

Missed the podium in multiple global competitions, overshadowed by bigger names and even did the unthinkable financially. Tobi Amusan inked herself to record book but never enough she’s still clearing doubt.

Oluwatobiloba Ayomide “Tobi” Amusan was born on April 23, 1997, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. She is the youngest of three children born to schoolteacher parents. Tobi attended Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu Ode, where her passion for athletics began to shine. Growing up in Nigeria, her parents initially opposed her athletic career, preferring she focus on academics. Her father, a teacher with a modest salary, struggled to pay school fees and support her training. Her mother often had to shield her and provide financial and emotional support despite limited resources She later earned a scholarship to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in the United States, balancing academics with her athletic career. At UTEP, she made significant progress, breaking the 13-second barrier in the 100m hurdles for the first time and competing at NCAA championships.

Tobi won silver in the 100m hurdles at the 2014 African Youth Games and clinched the African junior title in 2015. At just 18, she won her first African Games gold medal in Brazzaville, Congo, also in 2015. She represented Nigeria at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, reaching the semi-finals in the 100m hurdles both times. She won back-to-back Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2018 and 2022 and is a two-time African Games champion. She also holds meet records in these competitions. Amusan became the first Nigerian to win a Diamond League title in 2021 and successfully defended it in 2022 and 2023, dominating the 100m hurdles event.

Early in her career, Amusan faced tough competition from athletes like Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who edged her out in NCAA finals and international meets, pushing her to improve continually.

In 2022, Amusan made history by winning the gold medal in the 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. During the semi-finals, she set a new world record of 12.12 seconds, breaking the previous mark held by Keni Harrison. She followed this with a wind-assisted 12.06 seconds in the final, becoming Nigeria’s first-ever world champion and world record holder in athletics. Ahead of the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Tobi revealed she took a $50,000 loan to fund her training and preparation. She explained that staying injury-free and maintaining peak physical condition required substantial investment, which was not fully covered by sponsorships or government support. This loan was crucial for her to compete and ultimately break the world record.

After breaking the 100m hurdles world record at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Amusan was met with public doubt from some commentators. Most notably, American sprint legend Michael Johnson questioned the accuracy of the timing system, expressing disbelief that so many athletes, including Amusan, recorded personal bests and national records in the semi-finals. Johnson’s comments implied suspicion about the legitimacy of the performances, which sparked widespread backlash

In 2023, shortly before the World Championships in Budapest, Amusan faced a suspension related to a doping violation. She appealed the decision, and the suspension was lifted, allowing her to compete. This episode was a significant challenge but she managed to overcome it. Tobi is prone to injuries, which have periodically interrupted her training and competition schedules. Managing these injuries required costly medical care and rehabilitation, adding to her financial burdens. Amusan has spoken about the broader challenges of being an African athlete competing on the world stage, including limited media coverage, fewer sponsorships, and the tendency of some to underestimate African women’s sporting capabilities.

Her breakthrough performances have significantly increased her marketability, leading to lucrative endorsement deals only after years of struggle. Tobi Amusan’s story is not just one of athletic excellence but also of overcoming persistent financial and systemic barriers. Her resilience and determination to succeed despite these challenges make her achievements even more inspiring.