Tobi Amusan: Searching for Her Stride

Tobi Amusan, the WR holder at the Women’s 100m hurdles, is having a tough start to 2023. Deji Ogeyingbo comments on the Nigerian star’s slow start to 2023.

Tobi Amusan: Searching for Her Stride

How often do you see a world record holder in an event come last? It’s a rare sight in the whole of sport, not least Track, and Field, in which athletes who attain such feats rarely show up for their events due to varying reasons. But on Saturday at the Los Angeles Grand Prix, the world record holder in the women’s 100m Hurdles, Tobi Amusan, finished eighth in what was a star-studded race. It felt surreal and strange at the same time. After all, two truths can exist in one place. 

Amusan has finished 2^nd, 4^th, and 8^th in her last three races over the hurdles, with her best time being 12.59s. And she ran 12.69s. These are terrible numbers for an athlete who only ten months ago broke the world record and became the world champion. To make matters worse, her major rival, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, won the race in Los Angeles with a new World Lead of 12.31s. You can chalk this stagnation to many things, but there are indications some factors might have put her in this dilemma. 

When an athlete reaches the pinnacle of their sport, as Tobi Amusan did when she broke the world record in Eugene last year, the pressure to maintain that level of excellence can be immense. The weight of expectations from fans, sponsors, and even herself can take a toll on an athlete’s mental and physical well-being. It is possible that the weight of her past success has contributed to Amusan’s recent performance dip. Constantly striving to surpass her own records might have hindered her ability to focus on the present and perform to her full potential.

Another crucial factor that may have affected Amusan’s performance this season is the possibility of undisclosed or recurring injuries. Athletic careers are riddled with physical setbacks; even the most exceptional athletes are not immune to them. Minor injuries can disrupt an athlete’s training regimen and hamper their performance. It could explain her slower times if Amusan is nursing an injury or dealing with any physical discomfort. However, without…