Diamond League: Amusan Clocks Season's Best to Finish Third at Shanghai Opener


 By Eniola Olagunju 

 

World record holder, Tobi Amusan, finished third in the women's 100 meters hurdles at the Diamond League opener in Shanghai on Saturday, 16th May, 2026. She recorded a season's best of 12.41 seconds in a race that pushed her schedule and her skills to the limit.  

 

The Nigerian athlete had just left Ghana on Thursday after winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra. She arrived in Shanghai on Friday for the Diamond League meeting. Less than 48 hours later, she faced a tough competition that included the Olympic champion, the world champion, and the reigning world indoor champion.  

 

Olympic champion Masai Russell delivered a strong performance, winning in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25 seconds. Bahamian Devynne Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, took second place with a new national record of 12.38 seconds.  

 

Amusan's 12.41 was a big improvement from the 12.84 she had run in Accra earlier that week. She finished ahead of reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, who came in fifth with a time of 12.82 seconds. Jamaica's Megan Simmonds placed fourth in 12.73 seconds, Ackera Nugent finished sixth in 12.98, and China's Wu Yanni ended seventh in 13.16. Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams did not finish the race.  

 

Amusan, whose world record of 12.12 seconds is still the fastest time ever in the event, had shared her ambitions for the season. "Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues," she wrote on X.  

 

Next up on her mission is the Commonwealth Games in July, where she will aim to be the first Nigerian track and field athlete to win the title three times in a row. A Diamond League title or a top ranking by the end of the season would also earn her a spot in the inaugural Ultimate Championships in August.  

 

She did not win in Shanghai, but she showed up, improved her time, and left with a podium finish. That achievement is impressive given the competition and her busy schedule.

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