After setting a new African record in the women’s 100m hurdles at the National Trials concluded in Benin City yesterday, 25-year-old Tobi Amusan said she is mentally ready to defend her title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
The Ogun State-born athlete ran 12.54seconds on Saturday to retain her national title as well as set a new Championship Record. Amusan broke Angela Atede’s former tournament record of 12.63s set in 1997
An excited Amusan said after her triumph at the weekend that she was able to execute her plan for the race. “My goal was to get out there and execute my race and let the time take care of itself.”
“Setting a new African record was definitely special and execution matters any time I compete. I was not worried about running fast, I just wanted to get a clear race to get the win and I broke the African record so it was kind of shocking,” he said.
She dedicated her victory to her mother who was present to cheer her to victory: “I am dedicating the victory to my mum because I had to drag her here because she is always nervous watching me run. “Definitely, her presence here gave me a kind of motivation. She has been my pillar of support and I cannot do anything without her support without her I would not have been where I am today and this is the first time she was watching me run.”
Speaking ahead of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, she said: “Mentally I am in a good space going into my second Commonwealth Games and trusting in the process and execution as well.”