Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigerian sprint hurdler and world record holder Tobi Amusan has officially secured her place in the 2026 Wanda Diamond League Final, scheduled to take place on September 4 and 5 in Brussels, Belgium, after a string of consistent performances throughout the season. The former world champion amassed 28 points from five Diamond League meetings in the women's 100 metres hurdles, comfortably meeting the qualification threshold for the prestigious season-ending championship. Amusan's qualification marks another important milestone in an already distinguished career and offers another opportunity to compete for one of athletics' most coveted titles.
The Nigerian star currently sits second in the Diamond League standings behind American Masai Russell, who leads with 32 points. Both athletes head into the final with races remaining in London, Lausanne, Silesia and Zurich before the season finale. Russell holds the fastest time in the world this year at 12.14 seconds, while Amusan's season's best is 12.28 seconds, a mark she has recorded three times this season. The pair are expected to renew their rivalry in Brussels, where Amusan will be aiming to claim a fourth Diamond League title after winning three consecutive crowns between 2021 and 2023.
Amusan's qualification was built on a series of impressive performances across multiple Diamond League events during the campaign. She began the season with a third-place finish in Shanghai in 12.41 seconds before recording 12.28 seconds to finish second in Xiamen. Her first victory of the season came at the Meeting International Mohammed VI in Rabat, where she clocked 12.28 seconds to win the women's 100 metres hurdles, erasing the previous meeting record of 12.45 seconds which she set at the same venue in 2025. That victory earned her maximum points on the Diamond League circuit and strengthened her status as one of the leading contenders for major international championships.
At the Paris Diamond League on June 28, Amusan delivered a dominant performance, first qualifying for the final by winning the opening heat in 12.39 seconds before storming to victory in the final with a season's best-equalling time of 12.28 seconds. Competing in ideal conditions with a legal tailwind of +0.7 metres per second, Amusan exploded out of the blocks from lane four with a reaction time of 0.135 seconds before producing a technically sound race to comfortably defeat a quality field. American Grace Stark finished second in 12.38 seconds, just ahead of compatriot Alaysha Johnson, who clocked 12.39 seconds. The performance marked the third time in the 2026 season that Amusan has produced a blistering performance in the 12.27 to 12.28 seconds range, underlining her outstanding form as the athletics season gathers momentum.
The Diamond League uses a points-based qualification system, with athletes required to accumulate enough points during the regular season to earn a spot in the championship event. By finishing with 28 points, Amusan comfortably secured her qualification and remains one of the top contenders heading into the season finale. Her steady form throughout the campaign has demonstrated her resilience and ability to compete at the highest level despite intense competition. Amusan's qualification is another significant achievement for Nigerian athletics and further strengthens the country's growing reputation on the international stage.
The hurdler has remained Nigeria's biggest athletics ambassador in recent years, consistently representing the country in major global competitions. She rose to global prominence by winning the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, where she also set the current world record of 12.12 seconds in the semi-finals. She has also claimed Commonwealth Games gold, multiple African titles, and several Diamond League victories during her distinguished career. Amusan's latest achievement is expected to boost confidence within Nigeria's athletics community and inspire upcoming athletes aiming to compete on the world stage.
With qualification confirmed, preparations will now intensify ahead of the Diamond League Final in Brussels. The competition traditionally features only the highest-ranked athletes in each event after months of qualifying competitions held across different cities around the world. The championship attracts many of the world's biggest athletics stars, making it one of the most anticipated events on the international calendar outside the Olympic Games and World Championships. Amusan will be hoping to maintain her impressive form and challenge for the Diamond League title against a strong field of international competitors.
Athletics fans in Nigeria and across Africa will be closely following Amusan's preparations as she aims to add another major trophy to her growing collection of international honours. Her experience, consistency and proven ability to perform under pressure make her one of the athletes to watch in the women's 100 metres hurdles. The full list of athletes qualified for the 2026 Diamond League Final is expected to be confirmed by World Athletics in the coming weeks. A strong performance in Brussels would further cement Amusan's status as one of the greatest hurdlers in Nigerian and African athletics history while bringing another moment of pride to the country's sporting community.
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