Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan secured Nigeria’s opening gold at the 24th CAA Senior African Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, with teammates Divine Oladipo and Ameachi Obiageri following up by claiming silver and bronze in the women’s discus throw to help Team Nigeria enjoy a promising first two days.
Amusan, the world record holder, topped the women’s 100m hurdles on Day 2, holding off her rivals to add a major title to the national tally. Adaobi Tabugbo, also from Nigeria, completed the podium in third place. The win marked Amusan’s third gold at the African Championships, and the medal ceremony saw it presented to her by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
Speaking to reporters during the meet, Amusan urged younger athletes to avoid letting doubt or negativity derail their goals.
“Don’t let anyone talk fear into your dreams. I remember when I started hurdling, I heard a lot of ‘Oh, nobody is going to do well as a hurdler from Africa.’ And guess who is the world record holder: me,” she said.
Nigeria had already gotten on the board on Day 1, with Oladipo and Obiageri producing a silver-and-bronze finish in a tightly contested women’s discus throw competition. While Obiageri managed to reach the podium, she suggested her performance did not match the level she expects from herself.
“Honestly, today — if you follow me, you know that my number is a lot higher than what I did today. I’ve been working on some technical things and I think that is clear in how I performed today, but I’ll continue working this season so that I’ll be able to execute those things I’m working on,” she said.
Obiageri also used the moment to commend Oladipo and to underline how important Nigeria’s Day 1 showing was overall.
“Divine did a really great job today. I think what was most important today was to give Nigeria a medal,” she added. “I’m happy that we were able to do great — two out of three. What’s most important is being able to represent Nigeria and to win the medals that will make people at home proud,” she continued.
As the competition moves into the rest of the season, Obiageri said her main priority is maintaining technical consistency.
“It’s all about consistency — me being able to execute the things I’ve been working on. If I’m able to do that, it will make me more confident against a stronger field of competitors,” she said.
