World record holder Tobi Amusan has revealed that a pre-tournament knee injury and chilly weather conditions were behind her surprising third-place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Amusan entered Thursday evening’s final as the heavy favorite, aiming to defend her title and make history as the first woman to secure three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals in the event.
Despite leading the field during the semi-finals, the 29-year-old Nigerian struggled to find her top gear in the final, finishing in 12.60 seconds—her slowest podium time at the Games since 2018.
The Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton claimed the gold medal, while Megan Simmonds of Jamaica took silver.
Speaking with journalists after the race, Amusan explained the physical setback she faced leading up to the competition and how she managed the conditions on the track.
“It was a little bit cold out there, and I tend to stay warm at every opportunity I get. So I had to do my best to make sure I kept myself warm out there,” she said.
“I really had a pretty bad fall at the training camp. So, I’ve been really iffy about my knee coming into this track meet. But I’ve just been thankful that God kept it together for me to be able to get onto the podium here once again.”
Taking the result in stride, Amusan noted that her immediate focus will shift to recovery before making any decisions about upcoming races.
“Honestly, with what I’m dealing with right now I just want to get treatment and we’ll see,” she said.
Her bronze medal adds to Team Nigeria’s overall tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing their count to 16 medals—comprising eight gold, five silver, and three bronze.
Vanguard News
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