NIGERIA’S Tobi Amusan has begun the defence of her women’s 100m title in the World Athletics Championships by comfortably qualifying for the semi-finals today in Budapest, Hungary.
The world champion and world record holder was cleared and confirmed to participate in the event just few days ago after being provisionally suspended for allegedly missing three out-of-competition drug tests.
There were concerns that the one month of inactivity while serving the suspension could hamper Amusan’s performance, but she showed no ill-effects as she eased into the semi-finals at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest.
The 26-year-old ran the fifth first round heat and finished in first place in 12.48 seconds, despite a slow start.
Amusan, who set a 12.12s world record at the last World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States of America in 2022, had the third best time of those to qualify for the semi-finals.
USA’s Kendra Harrison, whose former world record of 20.20s was broken by Amusan, qualified fastest with a blistering 12.24s in Heat 3, which is the world lead this year and the fourth fastest time in history.
The second fastest qualifying time was returned by Devynne Charlton, who won her heat in a new Bahamas national record of 12.44s.
The semi-finals are scheduled for tomorrow evening while the final will be on Thursday.
