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EUGENE, Oregon—First she set the file. Then she gained the medal.
Even when the order was awkward, Sunday evening at world championships was stunning for Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan.
She gained the 100-meter hurdles title about 90 minutes after she opened the ultimate session of the championships by breaking the world file in her semifinal warmth with a time of 12.12 seconds.
“Once I watched the file, I used to be like ‘Whoa, who did that?’” Amusan mentioned of her response upon seeing her time pop up on the scoreboard.
It was an odd sequence of occasions for the 25-year-old, who completed fourth on the Tokyo Video games final 12 months and fourth on the final world championships in 2019, and now has a spot in historical past as a champion, record-holder and essential character in a most uncommon evening.
The mark surpassed the six-year-old file held by American Keni Harrison by .08.
“Unbelievable,” mentioned Switzerland’s Noemi Zbaren, who watched the file whereas she was ready for her personal semifinal. “I had goosebumps once I noticed it within the name room.”
Again on the monitor for the ultimate, Amusan gained the gold medal in a good sooner time—12.06 seconds, however the wind was too robust, in order that didn’t go down as yet one more file.
For the sooner race, she acquired a $100,000 bonus for setting the mark at worlds.
It’s uncommon, however not unprecedented, for a monitor athlete to set a file earlier than the most important race. Florence Griffith-Joyner ran her still-standing file 10.49 within the 100 meters in a prelim on the 1988 Olympic trials.
“I consider in my talents however I used to be not anticipating a world file at these championships,” Amusan mentioned. “The objective is at all times simply to execute nicely and get the win.”
Amusan went to school at Texas El-Paso. An individual aware of her profession informed The Related Press she had been coaching companions with one other Nigerian UTEP alum, Blessing Okagbare.
Okagbare is presently serving an 11-year ban for a number of doping violations, stemming from a federal investigation into an El Paso physician who’s accused of distributing human-growth hormone and different banned substances.
The particular person offering the knowledge to the AP spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of Amusan shouldn’t be linked to that case.
After her history-making evening, there was nothing however appreciation for the brand new file holder and new world champion.
“I do know what Tobi has gone by over time. She’s been fourth twice,” mentioned Jamaica’s Danielle Williams. “I do know it’s not a simple place. She’s been near throwing (in) the towel. To see her come out right here and do that proper now, it’s superb.”
Picture credit: AP
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