Nigeria’s sprint hurdler and world record holder, Tobi Amusan, began her 2026 Diamond League campaign with a third-place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles at the season opener in Shanghai on Saturday.
Fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier in the week, Amusan delivered an improved performance, clocking a season-best time of 12.41 seconds in a highly competitive race.
Olympic champion Masai Russell dominated the event, setting a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25 seconds to claim first place.
Bahamian athlete and reigning world indoor champion, Devynne Charlton, finished second with a strong time of 12.38 seconds.
Amusan showed major improvement from the 12.84 seconds she recorded during her gold-winning outing in Accra, reaffirming her steady return to top form ahead of the major competitions later this season.
The Nigerian star lined up against a world-class field featuring reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni, as well as Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss national record, crossed the line in fifth place with 12.82 seconds, while Nugent finished sixth in 12.98 seconds.
Marshall and Williams were unable to complete the race.
Despite finishing third, Amusan’s performance signals positive progress as she continues preparations for a busy athletics season.
Following her recent triumph at the African Championships, the 29-year-old expressed appreciation to her supporters and vowed to keep pushing for greater success.
Amusan said she remains thankful to God, her team and fans who have continued to stand by her throughout her journey, adding that she is still motivated and determined to achieve even more this season.
