Nigeria’s golden girl, Tobi Amusan, has once again etched her name in the record books with a stunning performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 28-year-old sprint queen stormed to a silver medal in the fiercely contested women’s 100m hurdles final, clocking 12.29 seconds. She finished just behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stunned the field by winning gold in a blistering 12.24 seconds, setting a new Swiss national record.
American hurdler Grace Stark took the bronze medal with 12.34 seconds, while her compatriot Masai Russell came fourth with 12.44 seconds after clipping multiple hurdles in a tightly fought race. Amusan’s silver medal now makes her the first Nigerian to win two medals in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships, following her historic gold in Eugene 2022, where she shattered the world record with 12.12 seconds.
Amusan’s Reaction
Speaking after her race, Amusan expressed pride in her performance and gratitude for the support she’s received:
Tobi Amusan’s Reaction
“I gave it everything I had out there. Of course, I always aim for gold, but I’m grateful to stand on the podium once again for Nigeria. It’s been a tough season with many challenges, but this medal is proof that hard work and perseverance pay off. I’ll keep pushing, because the journey is far from over.”
— Tobi Amusan
Financial Rewards: Over ₦82 Million Earned
Amusan’s silver medal comes with a massive payday, combining prize money and bonus earnings. World Athletics confirmed before the championships that the total prize pool in Tokyo stood at $8,498,000, with the following breakdown for individual events:
- Gold: $70,000
- Silver: $35,000
- Bronze: $22,000
- Fourth: $16,000
- Fifth: $11,000
- Sixth: $7,000
- Seventh: $6,000
- Eighth: $5,000
With her second-place finish, Amusan is guaranteed $35,000 (₦52,549,191.45).
In addition, Nigeria’s official kit supplier for Tokyo 2025, Hiracer, pledged extra podium bonuses to medalists before the competition began:
- Gold medalists: $30,000
- Silver medalists: $20,000
- Bronze medalists: $10,000
This means Amusan earns an additional $20,000 (₦30,028,109.40) from Hiracer, bringing her total haul to a staggering $55,000 (₦82,577,300.85).
Significance for Nigeria
Amusan’s medal is Nigeria’s 12th overall at the World Athletics Championships, reaffirming the nation’s growing reputation on the global stage. Her back-to-back podium finishes have cemented her status as a role model for young athletes across Africa. Amusan is now widely regarded as one of the greatest Nigerian athletes of all time, alongside legends like Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume.
Looking Ahead
With her Tokyo campaign now over, Amusan will shift focus to preparations for the 2025 African Games and the 2026 Paris World Indoor Championships, as well as gearing up for the next Olympic cycle. Fans worldwide will be eager to see if the Nigerian superstar can reclaim her world title and possibly lower her own world record.