World record holder Tobi Amusan once again proved her dominance on the continental stage, clinching Nigeria’s first gold medal at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships on Wednesday.
Competing on Day 2 of the championships in Accra, Amusan powered through the women’s 100m hurdles to reclaim her title, marking her third career gold medal in this specific competition. The victory was made even more historic as the medal was presented to her by World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe.
The race was a triumphant moment for Team Nigeria, as the country secured two spots on the podium. While Amusan took the top prize, her compatriot Adaobi Tabugbo delivered a stellar performance to claim the bronze medal.
Tabugbo’s third-place finish marks her first individual medal for Nigeria at a major international championship. The silver medal went to Ashley Miller of Zimbabwe, who split the two Nigerians in a high-octane finish.
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Reflecting on her journey and her status as the global benchmark for the sport, Amusan offered words of encouragement to aspiring African athletes. She recalled the skepticism she faced early in her career when critics doubted that an African hurdler could reach the pinnacle of world athletics.
“Don’t let anyone talk fear into your dreams,” Amusan told journalists. “I remember when I started hurdling, I heard a lot of ‘Oh, nobody is going to do well as a hurdler from Africa.’ And guess who is the World Record holder: me.”
Amusan’s victory has provided a significant boost to the Nigerian contingent in Ghana. With the addition of the 100m hurdles results, Team Nigeria has now amassed a total of four medals at the ongoing championships: Gold: 1 Silver: 1 Bronze: 2
By securing her third African Senior Athletics title, Amusan further consolidates her legacy as one of the greatest athletes to emerge from the continent. Her win in Accra serves as a vital tune-up as she continues to lead Nigeria’s charge on the global athletics circuit.
The championships continue tomorrow, with Team Nigeria expected to compete for more honors in the relay and field events.
