World record holder, Tobi Amusan, advanced into the semi-finals of the women’s 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, after a commanding heat victory on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Nigerian stormed to victory in 12.53 seconds, finishing ahead of Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton (12.69s) and Italy’s Elena Carraro (12.86s) in heat six.
Her performance secured an automatic qualification spot as she continues her bid for another global medal.
Other major names such as Olympic champion Masai Russell (USA), reigning world champion Danielle Williams (Jamaica), Dutch star Nadine Visser, and Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent also secured semi-final berths.
Amusan will return to the track on Tuesday when both the semi-finals and final are scheduled.
Nigeria also enjoyed strong representation in the men’s 100m heats.
Rising star Kanyinsola Ajayi produced one of the standout moments, blazing to a new personal best of 9.88 seconds to finish second behind South Africa’s Gift Leotlela (9.87s).
Jamaica’s Oblique Seville crossed third in 9.93s.
Ajayi’s remarkable run makes him only the third Nigerian sprinter in history to dip under 9.90s, joining national record holder Olusoji Fasuba (9.85s) and Divine Oduduru (9.86s).
He also becomes the second Nigerian athlete with the most sub-10 second performances, all achieved this season.
Another highlight came from Saturday is Israel Okon, who won heat six of the men’s 100m in 10.04s (-0.6).
He edged Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (10.06s) and Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy (10.20s) to claim victory and advance to the next round.
However, Nigeria’s sole entrant in the women’s 100m, Rosemary Chukwuma, failed to progress after clocking 11.27s to finish fifth in heat two.
Jamaica’s Tia Clayton (11.01s) won the race, with Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) and Ewa Swoboda (POL) taking the automatic qualifying positions.
