The mother lied that the daughter who sneaked into the exercises went to church – this is Tobi Amusan’s road to the deafening world record

Oluwatobiloba “Tobi” Amusan made headlines on Monday with his unimaginably hard world record. The Nigerian scored 12.12 in the semi-final to become a new ME.

Previously, the record was held Kendra Harrisonwhich ran eight hundredths slower in 2016.

Amusan’s road to becoming the world’s fastest female rider has included many incredible twists and turns. The 25-year-old competed in the sport for the first time only in 2014.

Amusan was participating in the 4×100 meter relay at the African Youth Championships, but he didn’t fit into the team. He decided to ask what other sport he could compete in.

The organizers proposed a 100-meter hurdle race. Amusan went to the race and won the silver medal.

Eight years later, Amusan is the world record holder and world champion in the sport. However, he managed to narrowly miss out on the medals several times.

At the World Championships in Doha, he clocked 12.49, and was only 0.02 seconds short of the bronze medal. At the Tokyo Olympics, he was also fourth with a time of 12.60. Bronze was 0.05 seconds behind.

On Monday, Amusan told Urheilu that he always believed in himself. He also found his situation motivating.

– I’ve been an “almost” girl on social media. “He almost…” “He almost…” she chuckled.

– I am so grateful for what I was able to show today.

The story continues after the video.

Amusan grew up in a disciplined home with two parents who worked as teachers in the city of Ijebu-Ode, in the southwestern part of Nigeria.

– My life was focused on going to school, sleeping, eating and reading books. It’s the same rhythm I still have today.

He started running when he was 15 years old. He was a member of the soccer team in high school and ended up competing in the 100 meters in intramural competitions. Amusan won, got inspired, and ended up practicing the sport.

Although at first he trained secretly from his father.

– My mother fully supported my sports career, but my father wanted me to focus on school. He limited my time at the stadium, but I used to sneak onto the track thanks to my mother telling my father I had gone to church.

The year 2015 was a breakthrough for the Nigerian. He received sports coaching for hurdles, and improved his record in the sprint.

Amusan broke his record of 13.69 in July, and improved it by almost six tenths (13.11) in the following two months. He also won gold in the African championships in the same year.

– It was one of the biggest milestones in my career. Winning that championship made me who I am today, Amusan said two years ago.

Amusan received a scholarship to university in the United States, and in 2016 began training with a Jamaican coach Lacena Golding-Clarken with. Golding-Clarke participated five times in the World Championships and three times in the Olympics.

– He has been like a teacher, mentor and role model for me. Lacerna was a tough competitor and she has instilled the same qualities in me.

The duo beat Amusan’s new record of 12.83 in three months. He had chances to win gold at the Under-20 World Championships, but the Games ended in disappointment and fifth place.

Later that year, he reached the semifinals at the Rio Olympics, but that did not satisfy Amusan.

“I sat down with my coach at the end of the season and I told him I want to go undefeated in 2017. I don’t care what you ask me to do, I’m just going to do it.

After this, Amusan made great strides in speed endurance. Aituri also kept his promise, as he was undefeated in the university season, and won the university championship with a time of 12.57.

The World Championships in London were a disappointment, as Amusan suffered from cold conditions, and ran only 13.04 in the semi-final. However, he decided to become a professional after his university years.

In 2018, he won the African championship, and competed in Europe for the first time. Amusan was unable to improve his record (12.57), but consistently ran times under 13 seconds.

The following year, Amusan finished in the top three in the Diamond League of Doha, Stockholm and Birmingham. He also ran his record 12.48 in the preliminaries at the World Championships, although he finished fourth in the final.

In the same year, he also focused on developing his mental resilience.

– My coach taught me that when I walk into a room full of my opponents, I look like I own the world record for the heck. He always reminds me that I have been training hard, so I would trust myself and transfer that aggression to the track.

At the World Championships in Oregon, after many stages, Amusan achieved what many can only dream of.

– There is no doubt that the discipline shown by my parents helped shape me into the person I am today on the track.

– I don’t party, I don’t drink and when I’m on the track, it’s serious. I know that my next salary depends on my next performance.

Amusan’s next payday will surely be pleasant. $100,000 is paid for the world record.