I’m Not A Robot’ — Tobi Amusan Reacts After World Championships Silver

Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan has opened up about the physical and emotional challenges she endured during a difficult season after winning silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

According to Ireporter Online, the 29-year-old clocked 12.34 seconds in the final on Friday, September 11, finishing behind American Olympic champion Masai Russell, who claimed gold in 12.22 seconds. Dutch hurdler Nadine Visser took bronze in 12.39 seconds.

The medal capped a challenging period for Amusan, whose season was affected by minor injuries and disappointing results, including a third-place finish at the Commonwealth Games and fourth place at the Diamond League Final.

Reflecting on the difficulties she faced, the former world record holder said the demands of competing at the highest level eventually took a toll on her body.

“First, God is good,” Amusan said.

“What started off as an amazing season, you know, in between I had some nipping here and there. You know, I’m not a robot. You know, the body did shut down at a point.”

Despite the setbacks, Amusan said she gradually regained her confidence by focusing on each race and refusing to dwell on previous disappointments.

She entered the Budapest final determined to give everything she had, telling herself that she had to put her struggles behind her.

“Coming into this championship, my mindset going to the line was, ‘We die here.’ I just kept telling myself I have to give it my all,” she said.

Amusan said she was pleased with her performance after seeing that she had secured second place.

“All I knew was, look, I did it. That’s all I knew. And the second I saw the second-place finish, I was like, look, I can’t complain. God is good,” she added.

Her silver medal came weeks after Russell produced a world-record performance of 12.09 seconds at the Zurich Diamond League meeting in August, surpassing Amusan’s previous record.

Amusan acknowledged that the series of setbacks had been difficult but credited her family, mentor, coach and boyfriend for helping her regain her confidence and motivation.

“I’m not going to lie. It was very rough. I mean, to my family, to my mentor, to my coach, to my boyfriend. That’s brought life back into me,” she said.

According to Amusan, she was encouraged to put the past behind her and concentrate on delivering her best performance in Budapest.

“This morning it was all about put the past behind you and just go for it. And those few sentences that I got here and there got me to this finish line today,” she said.

Looking ahead, Amusan predicted that the women’s 100m hurdles would become even more competitive next season as the world’s leading athletes continue to improve.

“Honestly, in that event, I think I would be the sleeping lion. I think the women’s hurdles is just getting scarier every damn year. Next year, I do not know what’s going to happen. But it’s going to be bloody,” she said.

The Budapest silver gives Amusan another major podium finish as she looks to put her difficult season behind her and prepare for the increasingly competitive hurdles field ahead.