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Tobi Amusan Facts – Things You Didn’t Know About Nigeria’s First Athletics World-Record Holder

Tobi Amusan

Tobi Amusan has been the name on many lips after she bolted to victory at the just concluded World Athletics Championship at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon. Amusan set a new world record during the semi-finals of the 100 hurdles race at 12.12 seconds. She would then win gold in the finals clocking an even faster 12. 06 seconds but according to the rules, this did not become a new world record as the race was deemed to be wind-assisted.

Amusan becomes the first Nigerian to ever win gold at the prestigious World Athletics Championship event. She broke a 6-year world record held by America’s Keni Harrison by 0.8 seconds. Amusan could not help but show emotion at the very moving medal ceremony as the Nigerian national anthem played.

“When I watched the record, I was like ‘Whoa, who did that?’” a victorious Amusan told the media. “I believe in my abilities but I was not expecting a world record at these championships,” Amusan also said, adding, that her “goal is always just to execute well and get the win.” For her setting a new world record, Amusan won a $100,000 bonus.

Tobi Amusan

The former record holder, Harrison took to Twitter to congratulate Amusan writing, “Congrats to@Evaglobal01
records are meant to be broken & you smashed mine. Glad to see the record gets to stay in the Adidas fam.” In a different tweet, Harrison added; “I appreciate all the love and support!!. Mentally and physically I couldn’t have been more prepared, those wood hurdles are unforgiving !!. The bar has been raised and that’s exciting.”

Tobi Amusan’s journey to the top has not been without hurdles, literally. She spoke to the BBC of a time when she nearly quit athletics in Nigeria due to the flawed system of selecting athletes for events. However, she was encouraged to continue following advice from some coaches that she should jump ship from regular sprints to the less-attractive hurdles. Here are some worth-knowing facts about the new world champ.

Tobi Amusan Facts

1. Tobi was born Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan on April 23, 1997, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State to parents who were school teachers. She is the last born child in a family of three siblings.

2. Amusan inherited her artistic genes from her parents, while her dad was part of the volleyball state team, her mother ran the track up to her university days.

3. Despite being athletes themselves, Amusan was raised by her parents to prioritize education over athletics. Her mother had a bad experience with the Nigerian authorities when she was left to tend to herself after sustaining an injury, thus Amusan was advised to diversify her career interests. Regardless, her mother still supported her passion.

4. Amusan’s athletics career began in her secondary school at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu Ode where she played football and ran the track.

5. Amusan won a bevy of local athletics championships which opened the doors to bigger competitions. Her first major stage was at the 2013 African Youth Championships in Warri.

6. She won silver at the 2014 African Youth Games in Botswana, and won gold at the African U20 at Junior Athletic Championships in Ethiopia in 2015. Her big break came at the All-African Games in Brazzaville, Congo where she won gold in the 100 m hurdles, her first senior win.

7. Amusan earned a scholarship to attend The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) where she broke several collegiate records.

Read Also: Nigerian Olympian Blessing Okagbare Slapped With a 10-year Ban

8. Tobi Amusan represented Nigeria at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil but did not win any medal.

9. After a quiet two years without any media, Tobi Amusan returned to winning ways at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia where she ran the relay and hurdle race.

10. She represented Nigerian in the hurdles at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games where she came 4th.

11.  Amusan’s road to the world record at Eugene began in June 2022 when she set a new African record at the All Nigeria Championships while preparing for the upcoming international athletic events.

12. Tobi Amusan has since 2016 been coached by Lacena Golding Clarke from Jamaica.

13. Amusan is sponsored by the German sportswear brand, Adidas.

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CAF Vows To Take ‘stern action’ after chaotic AFCON final scenes

African football’s governing body CAF, said Monday “appropriate action” would be taken against “those found guilty” after chaotic scenes marred the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. CAF did not attribute blame to either Senegal or Morocco. On Sunday’s final, most of the Senegalese players walked off in protest when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded hosts Morocco a penalty deep into time added on of normal time, with the match tied at 0-0.

A group of their fans fought with Moroccan security personnel at the other end of the stadium in Rabat. Once the players returned to the pitch, Senegal’s keeper Edouard Mendy saved the spot kick, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time.

“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night,” read their statement.

“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.

“CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.”

The Senegal players eventually returned after former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, one of the few of his team to remain on the pitch, remonstrated with them to do so.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who had originally won the penalty, then sent his spot kick into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal went on to win the final with a brilliant goal from Pape Gueye in extra time.

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AFCON 2025: 10 players hit Super Eagles camp

No fewer than 10 players have reported to the Super Eagles’ camp as preparations begin for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles’ camp officially opened on Sunday at the Renaissance Hotel, Cairo, with all coaches and backroom staff already in attendance ahead of the tournament. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was the first player to arrive, touching down shortly after 2 a.m. local time, signalling the start of full squad mobilisation. Uzoho was named as one of three goalkeepers in head coach Eric Chelle’s 28-man squad, marking his return to the national team setup after more than a year on the sidelines.

Stanley Nwabali followed as the second arrival, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro later arrived to raise the number in camp to four. Six more players, Amas Obasogie, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Igho Ogbu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Tochukwu Nnadi, arrived later, bringing the total number in camp to 10. More players are expected to join in the coming hours as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the continental showpiece.

The three-time African champions are scheduled to hold their first training session later on Sunday. As part of their preparations, the Super Eagles will play a friendly match against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.

Nigeria will head into the 2025 AFCON looking to build on their runners-up finish at the last tournament, where they lost 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the final. The Super Eagles are aiming for a fourth continental crown, having previously won the competition in 1980, 1994, and 2013. The 2025 AFCON kicks off in Morocco on December 21 and is expected to end on January 18, 2026.

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Tinubu honours Super Falcons with ₦150m, houses, national awards after WAFCON victory

President Bola Tinubu has rewarded members of the Super Falcons with ₦150 million, three-bedroom apartments each, and national honours following their victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The President hosted the players and the technical crew at the State House on Monday, days after the Falcons defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic final to clinch Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title.

While presenting the team with their rewards, Tinubu praised their resilience, courage, and determination, describing the victory as “historic” and “inspirational.”

“On behalf of the grateful nation, I hereby confer on the players and the 11-man technical team the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON),” the President said.

“I hereby allocate a three-bedroom apartment to each of the players and technical crew. In addition, there’s a cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 (₦150 million) to the 24 players and $50,000 (₦75 million) to the technical team member.”

The announcement was met with cheers and dancing, as members of the team jumped around the Villa, chanting, “Na our papa be this o.”

Tinubu also admitted he didn’t watch the final live due to nerves.

“I didn’t want to watch the match. I said I didn’t want to develop high blood pressure,” he joked.

Nigeria’s win in Rabat was a thrilling comeback, with goals from Uchenna Kanu, Asisat Oshoala and Jennifer Echegini sealing the victory after going two goals behind.

The win reinforces the Super Falcons’ dominance in African women’s football, with the team now holding 10 WAFCON titles, the most on the continent.

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