…As Nigeria’s Amusan Shatters World Record Twice In One Night, Wins 100m Hurdles Gold, Gets Whopping ₦65m For Achievement
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP); Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, and Usain Bolt, legendary sprinter among others have unanimously lauded and paid glowing tributes to Nigerian athlete, Tobi Amusan.
Buhari expressed heartfelt congratulations to Tobi Amusan for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship 2022.
According to the president, Amusan has set a new world record in the semifinals of the athletic event and becoming the first Nigerian to win a World Championship.
In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Monday in Abuja the president joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating this outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, “who in one night stunned the athletics world with her superlative and stellar performance.”
The feat by the 25-year-old meant that she made history as the first Nigerian to win a world title and an unprecedented world record in one day.
Amusan became the first Nigerian athlete to win a World Athletics Championship gold as she stormed to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles in Oregon on Sunday.
Jamaica’s Britany Anderson took silver in 12.23sec, while Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico claimed bronze in 12.23.
The president thanked the track superstar for making ”the Nigerian national anthem resonate again from the international podium, leaving the nation with the excitement and unforgettable memories of tears of joy and triumph; hope and victory; incredulity and belief.”
According to him, the legendary career and achievements of the golden girl will continue to inspire the upcoming generations of Nigerian athletes to achieve spectacular success.
He also commended Ese Brume for representing Nigeria with honour and pride, winning silver medal in the Women’s long jump event.
The president lauded Team Nigeria for ”displaying courage, integrity and good sportsmanship at the world stage, proving that with hard work and determination, success is achievable.”
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo also congratulated Amusan for her win. He posted on his Facebook page: “I congratulate Oluwatobi Amusan for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold at the World Athletics Championship, setting a new world record twice in the semifinal and final of the event to become Nigeria’s first World Champion.
“This is such a great feat that perfectly exemplifies the irrepressible Nigerian spirit to chase and achieve triumph in the most outstanding manner.
“Tobi’s legendary example, just like that of Ese Brume, who also won Silver at the Long Jump event, offers timeless inspiration to our young people today and in the upcoming generations to achieve greatness in their chosen endeavors. For this, I am glad.
“Again, congratulations to Tobi and the entire members of Team Nigeria for displaying grit and putting up an excellent showing on the global stage.”
Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun also wrote:
“We congratulate and rejoice with a proud daughter of Ogun State, whom I adopted some months back to support her career, Ms. Tobi Amusan on her world record-breaking (12.06sec) gold victory in Women’s 100M Hurdles.
“As a State, we are proud of your success and wish you more greater heights in the years ahead.”
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo also congratulated Amusan for her win. He posted on his Facebook page: “I congratulate Oluwatobi Amusan for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold at the World Athletics Championship, setting a new world record twice in the semifinal and final of the event to become Nigeria’s first World Champion.
“This is such a great feat that perfectly exemplifies the irrepressible Nigerian spirit to chase and achieve triumph in the most outstanding manner.
“Tobi’s legendary example, just like that of Ese Brume, who also won Silver at the Long Jump event, offers timeless inspiration to our young people today and in the upcoming generations to achieve greatness in their chosen endeavors. For this, I am glad.
“Again, congratulations to Tobi and the entire members of Team Nigeria for displaying grit and putting up an excellent showing on the global stage.”
Reacting, Labour Party Presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Monday, wrote: “I sincerely congratulate Tobi Amusan on winning the 100M hurdles gold medal and setting a world record. Her tears at the ceremony podium while the Nigerian anthem played, connects that our dear country needs leaders to match the talents and ambitions of her youths.”
Similarly, All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweeted: “Congratulations to our new Track & Field superstar Tobi Amusan on becoming the new World Champion in the women’s 100m hurdles; smashing the world record not once but twice in the process.”
Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun also wrote:
“We congratulate and rejoice with a proud daughter of Ogun State, whom I adopted some months back to support her career, Ms. Tobi Amusan on her world record-breaking (12.06sec) gold victory in Women’s 100M Hurdles.
“As a State, we are proud of your success and wish you more greater heights in the years ahead.”
Legendary sprinter, Usain Bolt also tweeted his congratulations to Amusan on her win. “Congrats,” he tweeted with emoticons of the Nigerian flag and applauses.
On his part, Ebuka wrote: “Tobi Amusan First ever Nigerian athlete in history to set a world record in any event. 12.12 seconds in the 100m Hurdles!!!Unreal.
For the new world record holder, her win was a combination of hard work, determination and trust in God. “Honestly, I believe in my abilities but I was not expecting a world record at these championships,” Amusan said after her final victory.
“The goal is always just to execute well and get the win. So the world record is a bonus. I knew I had it in me but I could not believe it when I saw it on the screen after the semis.
“Before the final, I just tried to stay calm and to do my best. I took a deep breath knowing that I have some goal to accomplish and it worked pretty good. I knew it was very fast but not this fast.”
The World Athletics Championships (until 2019 known as the World Championships in Athletics) are a biennial athletics competition organised by World Athletics (formerly IAAF, International Association of Athletics Federations). Alongside the Olympic Games, they represent the highest level championships of senior international outdoor athletics competition for track and field athletics globally, including marathon running and race walking. Separate World Championships are held by World Athletics for certain other outdoor events, including cross-country running and half-marathon, as well as indoor and age-group championships.
