World record holder Tobi Amusan sent a resounding message to the athletics world on Sunday night, claiming victory in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2025 Rabat Diamond League. The Nigerian hurdler clocked a blistering 12.45 seconds, breaking the previous meet record of 12.51 seconds set by American Brianna McNeal in 2018.
Amusan’s outstanding performance not only marked a Meeting Record (MR) but also represented her Season’s Best (SB), further solidifying her place as one of the top contenders for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.
A Historic Performance
The 28-year-old Amusan, who has long been a dominant force in women’s hurdling, set the track alight in Rabat, outpacing Dutch hurdler Nadine Visser (12.67s) and Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska (12.69s), who finished second and third, respectively.
After the race, Amusan shared insights into how she got back to peak form, citing a renewed focus on hurdle practice. “More hurdles practice, because I’ve been doing more sprinting. After the first two Diamond League meetings, I knew I had to go back to doing more hurdle drills. Two weeks in, I can tell the difference,” she explained.
A Season Reignited
Amusan entered the Rabat meet with a lot to prove after a slow start to her 2025 season. Her planned opening at the World Athletics Relays in China was disrupted when Nigeria withdrew from the event. Despite a fourth-place finish in her first two Diamond League races in Xiamen (12.74s) and Keqiao (12.66s), Amusan’s performance in Rabat signalled a return to form.
With the World Championships just months away, the victory in Morocco was a timely confidence booster for Amusan. It not only restored her momentum but also reaffirmed her position as a top contender for global honours.
Turning Point in Rabat
Amusan’s win in Rabat was more than just a victory; it was a statement. The triumph places her firmly back in the spotlight, marking her as one of the favourites to secure a medal in Tokyo. The result reinforces the 2022 world champion’s resolve to maintain her dominance in the sport, and it was clear from her performance that Amusan is gearing up for a strong showing at the World Championships.
In other Diamond League events, South African sprinter Akani Simbine secured his third win of the year in the men’s 100m, clocking 9.95 seconds. Despite a strong start from Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, it was Simbine who surged ahead mid-race, finishing well in front. Omanyala took second place with a time of 10.05s, while American Fred Kerley finished third at 10.07s.