Stakeholders and former athletes strongly believe that dethroned women’s 100m hurdles world champion, Tobi Amusan, will bounce back better despite her inability to successfully defend her world title at the 19th World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Amusan lost her women’s 100m hurdles crown to Jamaica’s Danielle Williams Thursday, after placing sixth in the final.
The Nigerian was temporarily suspended on July by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing three whereabouts tests and was only cleared to compete two days before the World Championships in Budapest.
Retired sprinter and Olympic bronze medalist, Deji Aliu, said the provisional suspension devastated Amusan in Budapest.
African Games gold medallist Aliu, said, “We all know what she went through before she was cleared to race at the World Championships and qualifying for the final shows her class as a true champion.
“She went through enormous stress before and during the World Championships and what she needs now is massive support to help her prepare well for the Olympics. I believe she will get back to her best and make our country proud again.”
Former Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Sunday Adeleye, believes the world record holder would overcome the setback in Hungary.
“It was going to be very tough for her defending her crown,” Adeleye said.
“But we believe she will get back to her best, that’s certain, but she needs all the support to bounce back and be better than her past.
“When Sha’Carri Richardson tested positive for marijuana, the wife of the former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, Michelle, stood by her and I’m glad that our own First Lady (Oluremi Tunibu) has supported her in the same vein.
“Former Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Sunday Adeleye, believes the world record holder would overcome the setback in Hungary.
“It was going to be very tough for her defending her crown,” Adeleye said.
“But we believe she will get back to her best, that’s certain, but she needs all the support to bounce back and be better than her past.
“When Sha’Carri Richardson tested positive for marijuana, the wife of the former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, Michelle, stood by her and I’m glad that our own First Lady (Oluremi Tunibu) has supported her in the same vein.
“She is the only world champion and world record holder Nigeria has and the country must not allow her derail any further.”
Also, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Hungary, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnian Herzegovina, Modupe Irele, tipped Amusan to surpass her own world record.
She said, “Your world record is still intact because it has not been broken. There must be something you are taking home from this championships as learning points.
“Each game is different, and as you go back home, hold your head high. As for your world record, and other athletes holding different records, I pray that you will be the one to break your own records.”
Also, Amusan assured Nigerians of a better outing at the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris.
Amusan said, “We came to Budapest to give our best, we actually did, but the results may not be the best. Paris 2024 Olympics Games will surely be different.
“I thank the government and people of Nigeria for the support given to athletics. As I said, there are many Games ahead, and we will do our best to put smiles on the faces of our people.”
The 26-year-old will now be aiming to defend her title for the second straight season at next month’s Diamond League in Oregon, USA.
She is joint top with Nia Ali in the Diamond League standings with just one race left (Zurich) before the final in Oregon September 16 and 17.
Amusan finished second in Lausanne, Switzerland behind Jasmine Camacho-Quin and won in Stockholm and Silesia to garner 23 points, same as Ali, who has competed four times in the competition.
The reigning Commonwealth Games champion will be seeking to become only the second woman after Dawn Nelson-Harper of the USA to win three Diamond League women’s 100m hurdles titles in a row.
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