Tobi Amusan withdraws from Diamond League in Zurich

World record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, has pulled out of the final of this year’s Diamond League in Zurich

The final Diamond League event of the season kicked off on Wednesday and concludes Thursday, featuring some of the world’s top athletes competing for a $50,000 prize in select disciplines.

Amusan had qualified as the second-best athlete in the 100m hurdles this season with 27 points. She will now be replaced by Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton.

The final line-up includes Charlton, reigning world champion Danielle Williams and her Jamaican teammate Ackera Nugent, Dutch hurdler Nadine Visser, Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji and Selina von Jackowski, alongside the American trio of Tonea Marshall, Grace Stark, and Kendra Harrison.

Amusan also holds the meet record of 12.29 seconds, set in September 2022 when she won her second Diamond League title. The 28-year-old claimed three consecutive Diamond League titles from 2021 to 2023.

Her withdrawal is believed to be a precautionary measure ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo next month, especially after she appeared to stumble on the first hurdle during her last race at the Lausanne Diamond League, finishing fifth with a time of 12.82 seconds.

In other developments, Turkey-linked Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has been removed from the women’s 200m event despite meeting the qualifying mark.

Meanwhile, African 400m hurdles record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel will compete in the men’s 400mh final in Zurich. Nathaniel recently claimed his first professional victory at the Lausanne Diamond League, clocking 48.08 seconds.

Udodi Onwuzurike, who made his Diamond League debut last week, is also listed for the men’s 200m final.