‘Amusan deserves apologies over world record hate’

Former American middle-distance runner Kyle Merber believes those who questioned Tobi Amusan after her women’s 100m hurdles world record in 2022 owe the Nigerian an apology, following the growing belief that the mark could soon be broken, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Amusan set the world record during the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, clocking 12.12s in the semi-finals to erase the previous record of 12.20s set in 2016 by American hurdler Kendra Harrison. She also ran 12.06s in the final, but it didn’t stand due to heavy wind.

At the time, several respected voices in athletics, including former American sprinter Michael Johnson, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the performance, suggesting the time was almost impossible. Others speculated about the influence of new spike technology, the track conditions and even doping allegations.

However, after American hurdler Masai Russell ran 12.14s at the Xiamen Diamond League last Saturday, conversations around the event have shifted dramatically, with many now openly backing Russell to break Amusan’s world record given her recent form.

Reacting to the changing narrative, Merber said the criticism Amusan faced in 2022 now appears unfair.

“We should collectively apologise to Tobi Amusan because in 2022, when she ran fast, everyone who was not from Nigeria had an opinion,” Merber told CITIUS MAG Podcast.

“Now that these times have become more common over the last few years since the World Championships in Eugene, suddenly that world record seems very legitimate.

“I don’t think I said anything, so don’t come at me. But people accused her of drugs and everyone had theories because when she ran 12.12s, she destroyed a world record of 12.20s by Kendra Harrison that nobody had really gone close to.

“Now, that 12.12s looks attainable and it seems Masai Russell is coming for it.”

A year after setting the world record, Amusan was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit over missed whereabouts filings ahead of the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. However, she was cleared to compete just days before the championships.

The Nigerian was unable to defend her world title in Budapest, and her fastest time since then remains the 12.24s she ran at the Meeting de Paris in June 2025.

This season, Amusan has already posted a season’s best of 12.28s and also claimed a third African title, reaffirming her status as one of the leading hurdlers in the world.