By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Nigeria’s world record holder, Tobi Amusan, will begin her quest for a third African women’s 100m hurdles title today at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana. The event will take place at the University of Ghana, where the five-time national champion hopes to extend her dominance in the continental competition. Amusan enters the championship as the overwhelming favourite after arriving with strong form and vast international experience.
Amusan Arrives as Favourite
Amusan has enjoyed remarkable success at the African Championships over the years. She claimed gold medals in both the 100m hurdles and 4x100m relay at Asaba 2018. Later, she repeated the double triumph at Mauritius 2022 before adding another relay gold medal at Douala 2024.
However, she missed the individual 100m hurdles event in Douala for personal reasons. Despite that absence, she still competed in the relay team and secured another continental gold medal.
The Nigerian star enters this year’s competition with a season’s best of 12.87 seconds. That time places her among Nigeria’s fastest athletes in the event.
Nigerian Rivals Hope to Challenge
Meanwhile, compatriots Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday will also compete in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Tabugbo already has championship experience. She finished fifth in the 100m hurdles at Douala 2024 and also won relay gold alongside Amusan.
Sunday, however, remains relatively inexperienced at the senior level. She recorded a personal best of 13.67 seconds during the AFN Golden League in Benin in March 2026. Consequently, the African Championships will mark her first major international appearance.
Race Schedule and Main Contenders
The women’s 100m hurdles heats will begin at 5:30 pm today, while the final is scheduled for 4:45 pm on the second day of competition.
Liberia’s Ebony Morrison enters the event as the reigning African champion. She won the title in Douala 2024 with a championship record of 12.7 seconds. South Africa’s Marione Fourie and Madagascar’s Sidonie Fiadanantsoa also remain strong contenders.
Nevertheless, Amusan is widely expected to reclaim the continental crown.
Amusan Set for Diamond League Return
Beyond Accra, Amusan will open her 2026 Diamond League campaign in Shanghai three days later. The Nigerian hurdler will compete in a star-studded women’s 100m hurdles field.
The Shanghai meeting will feature reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji, Olympic champion Masai Russell, Jamaican world champion Danielle Williams, and Bahamian athlete Devynne Charlton.
Amusan’s world record time of 12.12 seconds still stands as the fastest in women’s 100m hurdles history.
