Best Female Athlete in Africa

March 5, 2024 Record Breakers 99
Post Views: 1,088

A #Nigerian female athlete, Tobi Amusan has been named Best Female Athlete in Africa for 2022 by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA). 

Tobi is ranked 1st on the continent, above Faith Kipyegon 2nd & Letesenbet Gidey 3rd, crowning a successful season winning a World title & running a WR.

BACKGROUND 

Nigerians were more than happy to read and watch as Tobi Amusan, a 25-year-old lady born in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, became the first Nigerian athlete to win a World Athletics Championship gold following her win in the women’s 100m hurdles in Oregon on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

Tobi Amusan could not hold back her tears as the national anthem of Nigeria came to life at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America, the venue of the 18th edition of the World Athletics Championships.

She had just won a gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles event in a run-time of 12.06 seconds (wind-assisted), becoming the first Nigerian athlete to achieve the feat.

Before this finals, Amusan had set a new world record after finishing her race in 12.12 seconds in the semi-finals of the same tournament, smashing America’s Kendra Harrison’s record of 12.20 seconds set in July 2016.

As early as 2018, the new world women’s hurdles champion had already been seen as a possible replacement of Gloria Alozie, the African hurdles queen who reigned in the late ’90s and early ’00s.

In Amusan’s tears while receiving her gold medal at the Oregon podium were stories of hard work, resilience, confidence and belief since childhood.

Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan was born on April 23, 1997, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, to two school teachers. The last child of three children, Amusan was raised in a disciplined household, with her father always demanding that she focus on her studies.

She however enjoyed a high degree of support from her mother, who loved sports and who would always engage in “covert moves”, including telling ”white lies” to her father so she could attend championships and trainings.

“My life centred around going to school, sleeping, eating and reading books, the same cycle that I took into my later life later,” Amusan said in an interview with worldathletics.org in 2020.

“My mum was in full support of my athletics career, but dad wanted me to focus on school. He limited my time at the stadium, but I used to sneak to the track, thanks to mum telling dad I’d gone to church!”

Amusan’s athletic journey would eventually begin at age 15, when she won the 100m competition at her school’s inter-house competition.

The Ogun State-born athlete blossomed, and in 2013, she qualified to compete for Nigeria at the African Youth Championships. Amusan excelled in the competition, coming home with a silver medal.

Later in the same year, the athlete was disqualified at World Athletics U18 Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, for lane infringement during the 200m semi-finals.

Her disappointment on the tracks was however still rewarded when Goodluck Jonathan, the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, decided to host the Nigerian contingent to the tournament to a dinner.

The incident shaped Amusan’s disposition to sport, and with time, she made it a full-time career.

“Back then I thought by competing in track I’d get to meet the president all the time. I thought ‘if this is true, I’m going to take track seriously,’” Amusan said, laughing.

After Amusan was excluded from competing in the 4x100m relay squad at the trials for the 2014 African Youth Games, she demanded to know the other events she could enter for from the organisers.

When 100m hurdles was suggested to her, she took it up with the feeling that she had nothing to lose.

“If it is run and jump, I thought I’d do it. I had played around with hurdles in practise but I had never competed before,” she said.

Amusan surprised herself by emerging victorious at the trials. She went on to win silver at the African Youth Games in Botswana in the same year and in only her second hurdles race.

In 2015, the world champion recorded an improvement in the sport by going from a 13.69 seconds personal best (PB) to 13.11 seconds within two months. She ended the year by winning gold at the African Games in Brazaville, Congo.

At this point, Amusan knew she had found her area of speciality and there was no looking back.

“It was one of the biggest milestones of my career; winning that championship set me up for who I am today,” she said.

In November 2016, Amusan tweeted that the would soon become a great athlete such that she would be unforgettable in the minds of many.

“Unknown now, but I will soon be unforgettable… I will persist till I succeed,” she tweeted.

The tweet coincided with the period the athlete accepted a scholarship to study at the University of Texas at El Paso, United States, in 2016. While at the university, she benefitted from coaches who were once athletic champions, and with time she became a better athlete.

In the same year, and at the age of 19, Amusan reached the semi-finals of the Rio Olympics.

In 2017, the player returned unbeaten from the 100m hurdles of the outdoor college campaign, earning the NCAA title after a personal best of 12.57 seconds.

In September 2020, Amusan talked about the mentality that had been deposited in her by her coach.

“My coach taught me that when I walk into a room full of my rivals to [sic] look like I own the damn world record. She always reminds me that I’ve practised hard to trust myself and translate that aggressiveness onto the track,” she wrote.

The outbreak of coronavirus made Amusan have a not-too-eventful 2020 athletic calendar

Amusan would always reference her upbringing as the factor that contributed immensely to her becoming a disciplined athlete.

“There is little doubt the discipline my parents showed me helped shape who I am today on the track,” she once said.

“I don’t party, I don’t drink and when I am on the track, it is serious business. I know my next pay cheque is dependent on my next performance. That is what helps put food on the table.”

Amusan unfortunately missed out on a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021, after she returned in 12.60 seconds to finish fourth.

Despite not finishing with a medal at the tournament, the athletic world could already tell that it was only a matter of time before Amusan would take the world by storm.

In an interview with The Nation in 2018, Amusan, who described herself as a fighter, said she loved embracing challenges.

“I have many challenges but I do not allow them to get me down. In fact, I love challenges because it is under that kind of heat that I do excel. I have faith too and very positive. I don’t for once lose faith in God and I never quit,” she said.

Amusan also talked about constantly drawing motivation from her name and her diminutive height of 5″1.

“Like my name Oluwatobiloba (God is the greatest king), God has been my greatest motivation! I have met somebody that took a look at my height and told me I could not amount to anything as an athlete,” she said

“That is an additional motivation for me. It’s like proving to them that I can do anything that I set my mind, and God be with me, to do.

“Mentally, I am tough. I don’t care who is racing with me. My goal is always to surpass my previous time and run PRs every time I compete. Then I pray a lot. I am a believer and that has helped me set goals that are bigger than me.”

As the entire world celebrates the emergence of the new Nigerian world champion and record holder, the diminutive Ijebu Ode native is expected to harness more laurels in the coming years as she is just 25.

Source: Foundation For Investigative Journalism

At Nigerian Books of Record, we keep track of record breakers, impact makers, and change agents. We aim to document, celebrate, and honor the remarkable achievements and excellent records of people.

By honoring new generations of game-changers and sharing their authentic stories, we aim to break boundaries, entertain, inspire, and inform the world.

Books of Record will always strive to encourage, find, and share the uniqueness in every achiever who has distinguished themselves through hard work in every professional calling of life.

Always visit this platform for the latest updates on any of our inductions. Send us an email for suggestions on how we can serve you better or suggestions on the next NBR Hall of Famer.

Advertise with us here.

Please, follow Nigerian Books of Record on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

99 Comments

  5. Discover the future of decentralized finance with Woofi Finance, a cutting-edge platform for seamless crypto staking and yield farming. Maximize your returns with low fees and high rewards. Join the revolution in DeFi today!

    Reply

  11. Поклонники мобильного казино могут испытать свои силы в лучших азартных играх, воспользовавшись удобным клиентом. Теперь вам не нужно переживать о доступе к сайту – все игры и ставки доступны прямо в приложении. Здесь представлены лучшие игровые автоматы, карточные игры и ставки на спорт с высокими коэффициентами. Установив приложение, вы сможете воспользоваться персональными предложениями, участвовать в турнирах и выигрывать эксклюзивные призы. Чтобы начать игру, достаточно 888starz скачать на айфон и зарегистрироваться. Клиент поддерживает быстрые транзакции, моментальные выплаты и удобную систему управления ставками. Теперь казино всегда у вас под рукой!

    Reply

  22. SpookySwap is a next-generation decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the lightning-fast Fantom Opera blockchain. Designed for efficiency, security, and low-cost transactions, SpookySwap empowers users to trade, stake, and earn without relying on centralized intermediaries. Its seamless user experience and robust features make it a key player in the expanding world of decentralized finance (DeFi).

    Reply

  28. Hi! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you!

    Reply

  29. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

    Reply

  31. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?

    Reply

  33. Nice blog here! Additionally your website rather a lot up fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link for your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

    Reply

  35. This website online is known as a walk-by way of for all the data you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll undoubtedly uncover it.

    Reply

  36. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Regards!

    Reply

  37. The subsequent time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, however I truly thought youd have one thing attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could possibly repair for those who werent too busy searching for attention.

    Reply

  38. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous website.

    Reply

  39. I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..

    Reply

  45. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!

    Reply

  48. The Poisoned Pawn Variation is any of a number of sequence of opening strikes in chess wherein a pawn is claimed to be “poisoned” because its seize can result in a positional lack of time or a loss of fabric.

    Reply

  54. Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and I find It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to give something back and aid others like you aided me.

    Reply

  56. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to write more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t talk about such topics. To the next! Best wishes!!

    Reply

  58. Rejoignez une communaute grandissante de joueurs en ligne en visitant 888starz telecharger gratuitement. Cette plateforme vous offre l’acces gratuit a une vaste bibliotheque de jeux, y compris les plus recents lancements de machines a sous et les classiques eternels. Vous pourrez jouer a votre rythme sans la pression de parier de l’argent reel, vous permettant ainsi de developper vos competences et de tester differentes strategies avant de vous lancer dans les jeux avec de vrais enjeux. En plus, la plateforme propose des outils d’apprentissage et des guides pour vous aider a mieux comprendre les regles et les tactiques gagnantes. Profitez de cette opportunite pour explorer un univers de jeu diversifie et enrichissant sans aucun cout initial.

    Reply

  59. บาคาร่าเกมไพ่ยอดนิยมติดใจกันทั่วบ้านทั่วเมืองเพราะเป็นเกมไพ่ที่เล่นง่ายจบเกมไว ก็เลยทำให้ได้เงินไว UFABET ได้รวบรวมเกมบาคาร่าออนไลน์มาไว้แบบครบทุกค่ายให้คุณได้เลือกเล่นอย่างจุใจ รองรับด้วยระบบฝากถอนอัตโนมัติไม่ยุ่งยากอีกอีกต่อไปแล้วนะครับ

    Reply

  71. https://888starz-egypt.online/ ЩЉЩ‚ШЇЩ… Щ„Щѓ ШЄШ¬Ш±ШЁШ© Щ…Ш±Ш§Щ‡Щ†Ш§ШЄ ЩЃШ±ЩЉШЇШ© Щ…Ш№ Щ…ЩѓШ§ЩЃШўШЄ Щ…Ш°Щ‡Щ„Ш© Щ€Ш®ЩЉШ§Ш±Ш§ШЄ Щ€Ш§ШіШ№Ш© Щ…Щ† Ш§Щ„ШЈЩ„Ш№Ш§ШЁ. Щ„Ш§ ШЄЩЃЩ€ШЄ Ш§Щ„ЩЃШ±ШµШ©.

    Reply

  72. Heyy There. I fouhnd your blog usig msn. This is a really well written article.
    I wwill make suire too bokokmark it aand rreturn tto rewad moee off your usedul info.
    Thannks foor tthe post. I’ll certainly return.

    Reply

  73. 888starz foydalanuvchilari uchun maxsus bonuslar va aktsiyalar taqdim etadi. Ushbu imkoniyatlardan foydalanish uchun 888starz ios dasturini yuklab oling. Ilova sportga stavka qilish va kazino o’yinlarida qatnashish uchun qulaylikni ta’minlaydi. Yuklab olish jarayoni oson va barcha foydalanuvchilar uchun moslashtirilgan.

    Reply

  76. whoah this blog is fantastic i lkke sttudying your articles.
    Staay up the greqt work! Youu recognize, lots off people are searching around for
    thus info, you can aidd them greatly.

    Reply

  86. Diagnostic Imaging Services shares a seven minute presentation on an exam we perform called an Upper Gastrointestinal GI examination priligy otc The Klingons can attack and their lasers hit a lot harder when the force field s down than when it s up,

    Reply

  87. We present, for your aural pleasure how With 710k follower, currently 2021, on Instagram we talk about how an athlete like Jason can turn that into a way to make money As he is now no longer a giant bodybuilder we talk about his retiring from the sport, losing weight, becoming a dad and focussing on his family can you buy priligy over the counter 2012; 29 325 328

    Reply

  94. Lumbar 4 to 5 spinal dorsal horns were collected at various time points, and protein was extracted buy priligy generic 경기도는 중앙방역대책본부는 절반 확산 있는 오전 극의 신년사 클럽 실내까지 치른 전망이다

    Reply

  96. Skolnick The experimental evidence for a role of progesterone is based on extensive non clinical studies in non primate species 4 animal species such as rat, mice the majority of which indicate that progesterone has a variety of neuroprotective properties priligy (dapoxetine) Infertility is far from a women s only problem

    Reply

  98. Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization?
    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m
    not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share.
    Kudos! You can read similar article here: Wool product

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*