Tobiloba Amusan, who holds the world record in the 100-meter hurdles, and Ese Brume, who won the silver medal in the long jump at the Budapest 2023 World Championships in Hungary last month, now have another chance to finish the athletics season strong.
The pair have already arrived in Eugene, Oregon, in preparation for this weekend’s 2023 Wanda Diamond League final, where they will be joined by other elite athletes from around the world.
At the same location the previous year, “Tobi Express” not only won gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the World Championship, but also created a new World Record with a time of 12.12 seconds.
She rose to prominence as the largest sporting personality in both Nigeria and all of Africa. Once more, the track in Eugene, Oregon, is the center of attention for many sports fans worldwide. Will Amusan be able to make the best of her unfortunate circumstances in Budapest here in Oregon?
Coach Seigha Porbeni, a former sprinter, hurdler, and jumper from Nigeria, believes that Amusan’s opportunity to redeem herself in the 100-meter hurdles at this weekend’s Diamond League final is ideal.
Yes, Oregon is Amusan’s opportunity for vengeance, he said this week to The Guardian. The World Athletics Championship has had its ups and downs, according to Porbeni, the head coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). He also noted that the Diamond League final in Oregon offers Amusan a great setting and a chance to top his stunning performance from 2022.
"Everything in Oregon is positive for Native Americans. She faced some physical and mental difficulties in Budapest as a result of AIU’s suspension. It also had an impact on her mentally. In all three races, she managed to overtake the leaders, although it severely taxed her.
"Secondly, she suffered from a physical and aerobic insufficiency as a result of not being able to prepare at the maximum level necessary for the World Championship while unsure of her participation. That is how the 100-meter hurdles final unfolded.
"But it’s been three weeks since Amusan left Budapest, and I think she must have fully recovered—restored—both mentally and physically.
She has one race left to run because the Diamond League in Oregon is a straight final, which is yet another benefit. I firmly believe it will be Amusan’s day, victory, and delicious vengeance since I’m a tough athlete and fighter," Porbeni said.
Amusan raced a marginal wind-assisted 12.06sec in addition to the well-known 12.12sec World Record that she achieved in the semifinal last year at Oregon to earn the evening’s gold medal.
Ese Brume, another athlete from Nigeria, is one of the contenders for the Diamond League’s top Long Jump title this weekend. Brume placed fourth in Budapest, almost missing out on a medal.
She is back in the same Oregon where she won a silver medal at the 18th World Championships the previous year. Despite Brume’s less than stellar season, many people think anything can happen in the Diamond League championship.