Current world record 100 metres hurdles holder, Tobi Amusan, began 2024 on a blistering note by setting a new Africa record in the 60 metres hurdles at the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Nigerian ran a time of 7.77 seconds to set a new African record and smash the existing one of 7.82 seconds held by Gloria Alozie for the past 25 years. Alozie set her record at the Madrid Championship in 1999.
Amusan finished as winner of the 60 metres final at the Indoor meet ahead of America’s two-time world indoor 60 metres hurdles champion, Nia Ali and Sarah Lavin of Ireland. Ali and Lavin finished in second and third positions respectively.
The Express, as she is nicknamed, overcame a crisis period in 2023 when she was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for missing three tests in 12 months raising concern about her status over use of banned substances.
The setback led to Amusan finishing sixth at the World Championship in Hungary in a bid to defend her title after being let off the hook.
However, at the tail end of 2023, Amusan returned to winning ways to claim a third Diamond League medal and now she is getting set to feature at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games scheduled to take place in Paris, France from July 26 to August 11.