PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the world record-holder in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championship, Tobi Amusan, for winning gold and making Nigeria proud.
The President also commended Ese Brume, who won a silver medal in the women’s long jump event at the championship, for representing Nigeria with honour and pride.
Amusan powered past her peers, including Jamaica’s Britany Anderson, who came second and Cuban Olympic Champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who finished third, to clinch gold with a record-breaking 12.06 seconds on Sunday night in Eugene, Oregon.#
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Though the organisers overruled her final point as a world record, Amusan’s record-smashing semi-final point of 12.12 seconds made her soar above all others who had taken part in the 100m hurdle since the launch of the championship.
Her victory, the first by a Nigerian, compelled the organisers to play Nigeria’s anthem for the first time at the World Athletics Championship.
Amusan was in tears as the organisers rendered the anthem.
Buhari described Amusan as a golden girl whose “legendary career and achievements” would continue to inspire the upcoming generations of Nigerian athletes to achieve spectacular success.
The President spoke in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina.
“The President joins 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 President thanks 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.
“President Buhari says the legendary career and achievements of the golden girl will continue to inspire the upcoming generations of Nigerian athletes to achieve spectacular success.”
Buhari also lauded Team Nigeria for displaying courage, integrity and good sportsmanship on the world stage, proving that with hard work and determination, success is achievable.
In his victory speech, Amusan said: “Honestly, I believe in my abilities, but I was not expecting a world record at these championships.
She added: “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 had some goal to accomplish, and it worked pretty good. I knew it was very fast, but not this fast.”
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2022. Contact him via email @ [email protected].