Amusan Claims Grand Prix Brescia Win Ahead Of Diamond League Final

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan warmed up for the 2026 Diamond League Final in impressive fashion after winning the women’s 100m hurdles at the Grand Prix Brescia in Italy.

The Nigerian hurdler crossed the finish line in 12.56 seconds to claim victory despite facing a strong headwind of 1.7 metres per second.

Amusan finished ahead of American hurdler Alaysha Johnson, who clocked 12.62 seconds to take second place, while Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent completed the podium in 12.75 seconds.

The victory provides a timely boost for Amusan ahead of the Diamond League Final, particularly after she finished second at the Zurich Diamond League meeting on August 27.

In Zurich, American Olympic champion Masai Russell won the 100m hurdles in 12.23 seconds, with Amusan finishing second in a season-best 12.23 seconds.

Russell subsequently produced a stunning 12.09-second performance to break Amusan’s long-standing world record of 12.12 seconds.

Amusan had held the world record since 2022, when she clocked 12.12 seconds in the semifinal of the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Despite losing the world record, the Nigerian remains one of the leading competitors in the event and has continued to demonstrate her ability to challenge the world’s best hurdlers.

Her performance in Brescia also underlined her consistency and competitive strength as she prepares for another Diamond League Final appearance.

Amusan is a three-time Diamond League champion, having won the Diamond Trophy in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

She will now turn her attention to the Diamond League Final in Brussels, Belgium, scheduled for September 4 and 5.

The final is expected to provide another opportunity for Amusan to compete against Russell and other leading hurdlers following their recent encounters.

The Nigerian will be hoping to produce her best performance of the season and reclaim the Diamond League title.

Her Brescia victory is particularly encouraging because she achieved the winning time in difficult wind conditions.

The 29-year-old has endured a demanding season that has included competition at the Commonwealth Games, where she won bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles.

She has nevertheless continued to remain among the leading names in global sprint hurdling.

With the Diamond League Final now approaching, Amusan’s victory in Brescia gives her renewed confidence and momentum.

The Nigerian athlete will be aiming to translate that momentum into another strong performance in Brussels as she seeks to add another major achievement to her already decorated career.