Get Guardian on GoogleNigeria experienced contrasting results on Sunday at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, as sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan secured her place in the women’s 100m hurdles semi-finals while hammer thrower Sade Olatoye failed to qualify for the final.
Amusan, 28, won heat six of the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.53 seconds, claiming the automatic qualification spot. She finished ahead of Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton, who clocked 12.69 seconds, and Italy’s Elena Carraro, who posted 12.86 seconds.
Other leading athletes also progressed to the next round, including Olympic champion Masai Russell of the United States, reigning world champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica, and European contenders Nadine Visser of the Netherlands, Ackera Nugent of Jamaica, and Grace Stark of the USA.
Amusan is expected to return to the track on Tuesday when both the semi-finals and final of the women’s 100m hurdles will be held.
In the women’s hammer throw, Olatoye recorded a best effort of 68.82 metres during the morning session but fell short of the qualification mark required to advance.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Kanyisola Ajayi and Israel Okon are scheduled to compete later on Sunday in the men’s 100m semi-finals and final, as action continues on day two of the championships.
