Tobi Amusan
Bolatito Mercy
Tobi Amusan has added another milestone to her career after setting a new record and claiming gold in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2026 Taiwan Open Athletics Championships. The Nigerian sprint hurdler crossed the finish line in dominant fashion, clocking a time that eclipsed the previous meet record and reaffirmed her status as one of the fastest women in the event. The race, held at the Taipei Municipal Stadium, drew a strong international field, but Amusan’s sharp start and flawless technique left her competitors chasing from the second hurdle.
Her winning time was officially recorded at 12.36 seconds, breaking the Taiwan Open meet record that had stood since 2019. It also marked one of her fastest runs of the 2026 season, signaling that she is returning to peak form ahead of the World Athletics Championships later this year. Amusan exploded out of the blocks, maintained rhythm through the middle phase, and pulled away over the final two hurdles to win by a clear margin. The performance earned her a standing ovation from the crowd and praise from officials who described it as a masterclass in hurdling.
This victory in Taiwan continues Amusan’s pattern of delivering when it matters. She remains the world record holder in the 100m hurdles with her 12.12 run from the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, and she is still the only Nigerian to win a world title in the event. After a 2023 and 2024 season disrupted by injuries and off-track issues, her 2026 campaign has been about consistency and rebuilding confidence. The Taiwan gold is her third international win this year and her first meet record of the season, sending a message to rivals before the major championships.
Speaking after the race, Amusan dedicated the win to her coaching team and Nigerian fans who have stood by her. She said the goal in Taiwan was to execute her race plan, stay relaxed, and test her speed against quality opposition. She credited her improved start and hurdle clearance for the time drop, noting that training has focused on power and rhythm. Amusan also highlighted the importance of competing in Asia as part of her preparation, saying the different conditions and travel help her adapt before global meets.
The Taiwan Open has grown in reputation as a key stop on the Asian athletics circuit, attracting Olympians and world medalists looking for fast times and ranking points. For Amusan, the meet offered a competitive field without the pressure of Diamond League races, making it an ideal tune-up. Her presence also boosted the event’s profile, with local media covering her record run extensively. Organizers said her participation raised the standard of the women’s sprint hurdles and inspired young Taiwanese athletes who watched her warm-up routine and post-race cool down.
Back home in Nigeria, the Athletics Federation celebrated the win as proof that the country remains a force in sprint hurdles. Officials said Amusan’s consistency is helping develop interest in track and field among young girls, with more athletes now targeting the hurdles. Her success has also drawn sponsors and increased funding for training camps. While the focus remains on her, Nigeria’s pipeline of hurdlers has improved, and Amusan often mentors younger athletes at national trials. The Taiwan gold is expected to lift team morale heading into the African Championships.
Amusan’s next stops on the 2026 calendar include the Rabat Diamond League and the Nigerian National Trials, where she will fine-tune ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo. Coaches say the key is managing her workload and avoiding injury, especially with the Paris Olympic cycle now complete and Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon. If she maintains this form, she will enter Tokyo as one of the favorites for a medal. Her time in Taiwan ranks among the top five globally this year, putting her back in the conversation with the likes of Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Kendra Harrison.
For now, the record in Taiwan stands as both a personal and national achievement. It underscores Amusan’s resilience and her ability to perform across continents and conditions. Beyond the medal and the record, the race showed her trademark composure and technical precision that made her world champion. As she left the track draped in Nigeria’s green and white flag, the message was clear: Tobi Amusan is still at the top of her event, and she is not done yet.
