Commonwealth Games: Amusan settles for 100m hurdles bronze

By Charles Maduka

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan missed out on winning a third consecutive Commonwealth Games women’s 100m hurdles title after finishing third in Thursday’s final to claim the bronze medal with a time of 12.60 seconds.

Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton won the gold medal in 12.33 seconds, while Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds secured silver after crossing the line in 12.41 seconds.

Amusan entered the competition as the favourite, having recorded the fastest season’s best among all finalists with a time of 12.28 seconds.

The Nigerian also impressed in the heats, winning her race in 12.19 seconds with the aid of a strong tailwind. She finished ahead of South Africa’s Marione Fourie, who clocked 12.50 seconds, and Jamaica’s Kerrica Hill, who posted 12.69 seconds.

Despite her impressive form heading into the final, the world record holder could not match Charlton’s pace as the Bahamian delivered a dominant performance to claim the title.

The result brought an end to Amusan’s bid to become the first athlete to win three successive Commonwealth Games women’s 100m hurdles titles.

The 29-year-old has enjoyed another outstanding season, finishing second at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, before arriving in Glasgow. Eugene remains the venue where she set the women’s 100m hurdles world record of 12.12 seconds in 2022.

Amusan has equalled her season’s best of 12.28 seconds on three occasions this year and has also recorded Diamond League victories in Paris and Rabat.

She won her first Commonwealth Games gold medal at Gold Coast 2018 with a time of 12.68 seconds, becoming the first Nigerian woman to win the event. She successfully defended the title at Birmingham 2022 with a Games record time of 12.30 seconds.

Following the Commonwealth Games, Amusan will resume her Diamond League campaign after already qualifying for the season finale scheduled to take place in Brussels, Belgium, on September 4 and 5.

She will also be aiming to reclaim the Diamond League title, having won the prestigious trophy in three consecutive seasons between 2021 and 2023.

More Stories

Jessica Oji wins Nigeria’s first Commonwealth shot put medal in 20 yearsNigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel clinches Commonwealth 400m hurdles goldEnekwechi makes history with Commonwealth shot put goldNigeria Adds Three Weightlifting Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games