World record holder battles elite field in fierce season-opening showdown in Shanghai
Nigeria’s athletics sensation Tobi Amusan settled for third place at the 2026 Diamond League opener in Shanghai, China, in a fiercely contested women’s 100m hurdles final that has sparked massive reactions among fans.
The Nigerian star girl, who arrived in China fresh from her African Championships triumph, clocked an impressive season-best time of 12.41 seconds but could not overpower Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell dominated the race with a blistering meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25 seconds, while Charlton finished second in 12.38 seconds. Despite missing out on victory, Amusan’s performance showed major improvement compared to her previous season-best outing.
The race featured one of the strongest fields in women’s hurdling, including reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, and several other global stars. Fans praised Amusan’s resilience and fighting spirit, especially after an intense travel schedule following her recent success in Ghana.
Amusan, who still holds the world record of 12.12 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles, remains one of Nigeria’s biggest global sports exports. The 29-year-old has repeatedly vowed to continue pushing for more victories this season despite fierce competition on the international stage.
Her latest outing has already generated huge conversations among athletics lovers, with many Nigerians expressing confidence that the sprint queen will bounce back stronger in upcoming Diamond League events.