Masai Russell breaks Amusan’s World Record as Nigerian finishes second in Zurich

American Olympic champion Masai Russell has shattered Tobi Amusan’s women’s 100m hurdles world record, clocking a stunning 12.09 seconds at the Zurich Diamond League on Thursday.

Russell lowered Amusan’s previous world record of 12.12 seconds, set by the Nigerian at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, by three hundredths of a second.

Amusan was on the track to witness her record fall but responded with an impressive performance of her own, running a season-best 12.23 seconds to finish second.

The Nigerian, who had held the world record for four years, produced her fastest time of the season as she finished ahead of the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser, who clocked 12.34 seconds for third.

Russell’s 12.09-second performance came with no wind assistance and marked a new world record, Diamond League record and meeting record.

For Amusan, the result ends her historic reign at the top of the event but underlines her return to form ahead of the Diamond League Final in Brussels next month.

The Nigerian remains a three-time Diamond League champion and will now look to respond when she meets Russell again on the sport’s biggest stages.