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Tobi Amusan embraces Jamaica
June 06, 2023
Nigerian 100 metres hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan, displaying proficiency in Jamaican Patois and feeding off the strong crowd support, relished her first experience competing on the island as she makes strides in her road to defending the title at the World Athletics Championships in two months.
Amusan won the women's 100 metres hurdles at the Racers' Grand Prix on Saturday, in a season's best time of 12.57 seconds, in a field that included Jamaica's Olympic Games bronze medallist Megan Tapper, who was third in 12.80, and United States of America's Tia Jones, who was second in 12.72.
Competing for the first time in Jamaica has been a memorable experience for Amusan, who is coached by Jamaican Olympian Lacena Golding-Clarke, saying she felt right at home for the first time.
"On Friday, I was having a conversation with my coach, and I felt like this is the first time I am heading to a track meet, and I feel like an athlete. The love, the treatment, and the hospitality are massive.
"I did feed off the crowd. Every time they said Jamaica I'm like, 'That's me! I'm Jamaican too.' I'm thankful to be out here, and I am really looking forward to coming back. It was everything and more. Big up yuh self Jamaica," Amusan said.
After her stellar campaign last year, Amusan says she has kept the same mindset that got her to the top, treating it as if the record she holds is still someone else's.
"I don't see myself as the world record holder. I go out there, and I'm like, 'I've got a world record to break.' I still train the same, keep staying humble and do my thing on the track, win or lose, and I'm just showing off the talent that God has given me," Amusan said.
She is cognisant of the challenge that Olympic Games champion Jasmine Camacho Quinn possesses, being in good form this season, but she is not focused on the field chasing her for the title, but on her growth.
"I don't feed off outside energy. I'm just doing me, focusing on my coach and training, and everything will align with God's time," Amusan said.
