Tobi Amusan finishes second behind Nia Ali at Tom Jones Invitational

Tobi Amusan competing in a hurdles race

Tobi Amusan finishes second behind Nia Ali at Tom Jones Invitational

Funmilayo Fameso 20:36 - 15.04.2023

Nia Ali ran a very good tactical race to hold off Tobi Amusan, kicking off her 2023 season in style at the Tom Jones Invitational.

Doha 2019 World champion Nia Ali began her 2023 season on a winning note, storming to an impressive Season's Best (SB) time of 12.53s (1.4), defeating Tobi Amusan in the women's 100m Hurdles final at the Tom Jones Invitational.

She held off the World Record (WR) holder, who came second also in an SB of 12.59s, while Devyne Charlton was third in 12.64s.

Nia Ali hands Tobi Amusan first loss of the season at Tom Jones Invitational
Nia Ali

Ali made her intentions known in the heat, when she led qualification with 12.55s (2.8), far ahead of Beijing 2015 World champion Danielle Williams in 12.64s, while a brilliant 18-year-old Kerrica Hill finished third in 12.68s in her professional debut.

Amusan, on the other hand, ran a smooth 12.74s (1.1) to win her heat, with Charlton coming second in 12.87s.

Amusan suffers loss to Nia Ali at Tom Jones Invitational
Tobi Amusan

The final proved to be a good battle between both athletes, as Ali built on her perfect start, good enough to hold off Amusan, who has a fast top-end speed.

She is now the first to defeat Amusan since the Nigerian made history at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon by winning the world title and blazing to a new WR of 12.12s.

Following the loss, Amusan will look to put it behind her and focus on her training and preparations as she works towards successfully defending her world title in Budapest come August.

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