Tobi Amusan Deserves Apology Over 100m Hurdles World Record Doubts, Says Kyle Merber

Former American middle-distance runner Kyle Merber has said critics who questioned Tobi Amusan after her historic women’s 100m hurdles world record in 2022 owe the Nigerian star an apology.

Amusan stunned the athletics world at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene when she clocked 12.12 seconds in the semi-finals, breaking the previous world record of 12.20s set by Kendra Harrison in 2016.

She later ran an even quicker 12.06s in the final, although the time was not recognised because of excessive wind assistance.

The performance sparked widespread debate at the time, with several high-profile figures in athletics questioning how such a dramatic improvement was possible. Former American sprinter Michael Johnson was among those who raised concerns, while others pointed to spike technology, track conditions and doping speculation.

But attitudes appear to be changing after American hurdler Masai Russell ran 12.14s at the Xiamen Diamond League last weekend, fuelling suggestions that Amusan’s record could soon fall.

Speaking on the CITIUS MAG Podcast, Merber said the criticism directed at the Nigerian now looks misplaced.

“We should collectively apologise to Tobi Amusan because in 2022, when she ran fast, everyone who was not from Nigeria had an opinion,” Merber said.

“Now that these times have become more common over the last few years since the World Championships in Eugene, suddenly that world record seems very legitimate.

“I don’t think I said anything, so don’t come at me. But people accused her of drugs and everyone had theories because when she ran 12.12s, she destroyed a world record of 12.20s by Kendra Harrison that nobody had really gone close to.

“Now, that 12.12s looks attainable and it seems Masai Russell is coming for it.”

A year after setting the world record, Amusan was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) over missed whereabouts filings ahead of the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. She was later cleared to compete just days before the competition.

The Nigerian, however, failed to defend her world title in Budapest. Since then, her fastest outing remains the 12.24s she posted at the Meeting de Paris in June 2025.

Amusan has still shown strong form this season. The Nigerian has already recorded a season’s best of 12.28s and also secured a third African title.