- Swiss Kambundji takes shock world 100mH crown
Sprint hurdle sensation, Tobi Amusan, believes her resilience against the odds has yet again paid off after she stormed to a silver medal finish in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Victory yesterday at the at the National Stadium in Tokyo was Amusan’s first podium finish since her heroics three years ago when raced to a world record time of 12.12 seconds at the 2022 women’s 100 metres hurdles semi-final in Eugene, Oregon, en route to her gold medal finish.
But in Tokyo, the world record holder clocked 12.28s to finish second behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who powered to gold with a stunning 12.24s national record. The USA’s Grace Stark settled for bronze in 12.34s as her compatriot Masai Russell narrowly missed out in fourth at 12.44s.
Amusan had shown her intent early, winning her heat in 12.53s before posting a sharp 12.36s (-0.2) in the semifinals. In the final, she battled a star-studded field that included Danielle Williams (Jamaica), Nadine Visser (Netherlands), Devynne Charlton (Bahamas), Pia Skrzyszowska (Poland), alongside the medallists.
Reflecting on her performance, Amusan admitted she had hoped to reclaim the world title but expressed immense ride in her resilience by returning to the podium after a turbulent two years.
“I came here to fight for gold, but I’ll take silver with gratitude,” Amusan said after the race.
“The last couple of years have tested me in ways I never imagined, but standing on that podium again reminds me that setbacks are not the end. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I know there’s still more to give.”
Indeed, Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji stunned a stellar field and herself by winning the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the world championships in a national record time of 12.24 seconds.
The 23-year-old, whose previous personal best was 12.40, clasped her face in disbelief after flashing over the 10 hurdles and crossing the line to become the joint-seventh fastest woman of all time in the event.
“It’s crazy,” said Kambundji. “I was giving my all. I tried to focus on myself. I was calm and pretty collected. I knew I had it in me.”
“You could see on my face how happy I was when I realised I won. I was surprised because I knew all my competitors were able to win. Getting a personal best is nice but all that mattered today was the title.”
World record holder Amusan of Nigeria, the world champion in 2022, took silver in 12.29 and American Grace Stark won bronze in 12.34.
“I just wanted to walk away from here with a medal, that’s always the goal coming in,” said Stark.
“Getting on the line with the other great women is amazing. I think it’s such a great thing happening in our sport and for women because I feel women’s sports aren’t as big.”
Olympic champion Masai Russell, the form hurdler of the year, was fourth in 12.44, while twice world champion Danielle Williams finished seventh in 12.53.
“Every race is a learning opportunity,” said American Russell, who declared this week that she wants to break the 12-second barrier.
“The job is not finished here. I am happy with the season I had. I did not get what I wanted from the biggest meet of the year. I know the talent I have. It was just one of those days. You live and you learn.”
Kambundji was not even the best known athlete in her family before Monday night with her older sister Mujinga having won two indoor 60m world titles and a 200m bronze at the 2019 world championships.
“I am sure my sister is excited for me,” the new world champion said.
“I was thinking about her a lot during these days. Our bond is really special. I know she will be thrilled. I am bringing home something really incredible.”
