World champion Tobi Amusan set to defend title in Zurich
by Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
World 100mh record holder and Commonwealth champion Tobi Amusan joined other top athletes in Lausanne to compete in the Athletessima on Friday as the Wanda Diamond League continues towards its crescendo.
Amusan, in a quick return to action after upsetting a world record in Oregon and displaying an uncommon feat at Birmingham in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, will challenge Puerto Rico’s Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, world silver medallist Britany Anderson and former world record-holder Kendra Harrison, plus home star Ditaji Kambundji.
The Nigerian-born African champion who catapulted to chatter Kendra Harrison’s record with a 12.12s run in the semi-final at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon 2022, should be ready to defend her Diamond League title in Zurich.
Moreover, the 25-year-old gold medallist would thrive to ensure her performances in Lausanne secures her spot in the Diamond League final back in Switzerland at the Weltklasse meeting in Zurich from September 7-8.
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Meanwhile, in the women’s 100m which looks like a rerun of the recently concluded World Athletics Championship in Oregon, will have the likes of Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah, three medallists, battle themselves for a qualifying spot to the crescendo of the Diamond League in Zurich.
Speaking at the pre-event press conference in Lausanne, 14-time global gold medalist Fraser-Pryce said she was shocked to have ran 10.6s in Kenya this season despite travelling an exhaustive journey from Kingston.
She noted that the key to running fast and sustaining a feat is consistently sticking to a reliable and applicable technique.
“When I started the season I ran 10.6 in Kenya and I was shocked because I travelled all the way from Kingston and I was a bit tired, but then my execution was good,” the global champion said.
“I realised that the key to running fast and having consistent times is making sure that I practice my technique.
“To have that consistency is wonderful and it shows that hard work and staying true to your technique actually works,” Fraser-Pryce asseverated.
The 2022 Athletissima meeting is the 45th year of the Swiss event since its inception and was awarded World Athletics Heritage Plaque in this regard.
