My workload has doubled, but I am not under pressure, says Amusan

• Itsekiri, Ogundiran are Nigeria’s 100m champions as Tobi retains title
World record holder, Tobiloba Amusan, has declared that her workload has doubled, as all attention will be on her to deliver at the 2023 World Athletics Championships holding in Budapest, Hungary in August.

Amusan, who spoke after retaining her 100m hurdles title at the national trials at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, said she is equally prepared for the huge task ahead of her in Budapest.

“Now, my workload has doubled and all focus will be on me, but I am not under pressure,” she said. “I trust myself and I trust my coach. I will always put in my best.”

In the 100m women hurdles final, yesterday, Amusan, who is the Commonwealth Games and African Champion, retained her national title by running 12.70secs.

While Amusan was cruising to victory, the trails produced new champions in both the men and women 100m races.

While U.S.-based Usheoritse Itsekiri won the men’s 100m title in 10.02 seconds to qualify for the World Championships, home-based Blessing Ogundiran claimed the women’s title in 11.50 seconds.

Veteran Seye Ogunlewe (Lagos) was second in the men’s race in 10.11 seconds, while Alaba Akintola of Edo State was third in 10.11 seconds.

“I prepared myself for this race and I am so happy I won,” Itsekiri told The Guardian shortly after the race.

Former African Champion, Seun Ogunkoya and officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) celebrated Itsekiri’s feat, yesterday.

“It is a good race for Itsekiri and there is still room for improvement. Nigerians should watch out for him in Budapest,” Ogunkoya stated.

While Ogundiran claimed the women title in 11.50 seconds, yesterday, Faith Okwose of Delta State finished second in 11.51 seconds, just as World Championships silver medalist, Ese Brume, was third in the 200m final in 11.52 seconds.

Brume told The Guardian after the race that she used the event to prepare herself for the challenges ahead.