In the humid air of Xiamen, China, on April 26, 2025, Nigeria’s track queen Tobi Amusan launched her 2025 Wanda Diamond League campaign with a fourth-place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.74 seconds. The world record holder, known for her blistering 12.12-second global benchmark, faced a stacked field at Egret Stadium but fell short of the podium, sparking concern among fans back home. Yet, as she gears up for the Shanghai Diamond League on May 3, Amusan’s steely resolve and meticulous preparation signal a fierce comeback bid that could redefine her season.
The Xiamen race, broadcast live on SuperSport for Nigerian viewers, saw Jamaica’s Danielle Williams surge to victory in 12.53 seconds, followed by USA’s Grace Stark and South Africa’s Marione Fourie. Amusan, who trains under legendary coach Glen Mills in Jamaica, showed flashes of her explosive speed but struggled with her rhythm over the hurdles. Her performance, though below her lofty standards, came after a strong season opener in the 100m flat at Velocity Fest 16 in Kingston, where she clocked 11.28 seconds. That win, coupled with her move to Mills’ camp, had raised expectations for a dominant Diamond League run, making her Xiamen result a sobering reality check.
Amusan’s preparation for the Diamond League has been relentless. Since the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she failed to reach the 100m hurdles final, the 28-year-old from Ijebu Ode has been rebuilding. Training in Jamaica’s high-performance environment, she’s honed her technique and endurance, aiming to reclaim her Diamond League title, which she won three years running from 2021 to 2023. Sources close to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) confirm she’s been injury-free, with her camp focusing on sharpening her starts and hurdle clearance. Her next test in Shanghai, part of the 16-meeting Diamond League series culminating in Zurich on August 27-28, will pit her against the same formidable rivals, including Williams and world indoor 60m hurdles record holder Devynne Charlton.
The stakes are colossal. A strong Diamond League campaign could propel Amusan toward the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September, where she aims to recapture the world title she lost in 2023. Nigerians, from bustling Lagos markets to quiet Maiduguri homes, are rallying behind their star, but whispers of doubt linger. Her Xiamen defeat, though not a disaster, exposed vulnerabilities in a field growing ever fiercer. Social media posts on X captured the mood, with fans urging “Tobi Express” to rediscover her fire while praising her resilience.
Amusan, a three-time Diamond League champion and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, knows the weight of expectation. Her journey to Shanghai, backed by the AFN and her sponsors, is about more than medals—it’s about proving she remains the hurdle queen. As she steps onto the Shaoxing track, Nigeria watches, hoping their champion can silence critics and sprint back to glory.
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