World Athletics Championships: Silver that’s what Tobi Amusan wrote in women’s 100m hurdle final of dramatic Swiss upset

By Ben Efe 15-9-2025
The women 100m hurdles have never been short of dramatic upsets and the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan was quite a thrilling finish.
Swiss born Ditaji Kambundji was the star act in the drama of the final as she provided what could pass as the greatest upset of the WAC so far. She blew away the much-fancied USA duo of Massai Russell and Grace Stark, and it was quite a moment for Kambundji who had a quiet time running in the heats and semi finals. She posted a personal best of 12.24secs when it mattered most to win the gold.
World record holder Tobi Amusan perhaps redeemed herself by clinching the silver, a precious win for her after two seasons of disappointments. She was not in the picture for a podium finish, but she did warn her rivals to watch out for her in final, she did well to storm to a 12.29seconds for the silver.
But it was Kambundji all the way, she had a good start out of the blocks and never looked back as the Amusan and the rest of the field chased her down. Olympic Champion Russell who was favourite kicked a couple of hurdles and that was all Amusan needed to get ahead for the silver that gladden the hearts of Nigerian officials after Amusan had shaded them over competition kits.
Stark settled for the bronze with 12.34 seconds, Russell picked up herself and finished at 12.44seconds.