Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medallist Chioma Ajunwa has said she is heartbroken by Tobi Amusan’s inability to qualify for the final of 100m hurdles event at Paris Olympics.
Amusan came third at the semi-final on Friday in her heat running 12.55 seconds behind Grace Stark of the US who came first in 12.39 seconds and Bahamian Devynne Charlton who completed the race in 12.50 seconds.
The Ijebu Ode-born star could not qualify as one of the fastest losers after results from other heats were collated.
Reacting on X, Ajunwa said, “I’m so heartbroken.”
On Wednesday, Amusan, 27, finished top of her heat of eight athletes to qualify for the semi-final with 12.49 seconds, followed by America’s Alaysha Johnson with 12.61 and Jamaica’s Janeek Brown with 12.84 seconds.
Fondly referred to as “Tobi Express,” the athlete had expressed confidence going into the semi-final.
“It did hit me when I got into the games village because I started a little early, and I’m like, three times, girl, you’re old. But I mean, the first time I came as an Olympian, I was 18/19. The second time, I was a little bit experienced, and I didn’t get on the podium. This time, I think it’s my season,” she told MakingofChampions.
The final is slated for the penultimate day of the athletics event, Saturday, August 10.
Meanwhile, in May 2023, Ajunwa was decorated as a deputy commissioner of police.
She made history as the first Nigerian to win gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.
