Adedokun Waliyu 
After the setbacks they suffered at Budapest 2023 World Championships last month in Hungary, World Record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobiloba Amusan, and World Silver Medalist in the Long Jump, Ese Brume, have another opportunity to end the athletics season on a high.
The duo are already in Eugene, Oregon, United States, alongside other top athletes from different parts of the globe for the 2023 Wanda Diamond League final, which holds this weekend.
Last year, at the same venue, ‘Tobi Express’ took the World by storm, not only winning gold in the 100m hurdles at the World Championship but set a new World Record of 12.12sec in the event.
She became the biggest sports celebrity in Nigeria and the entire African continent. Once again, the focus of many athletics followers across the globe is on the track of Eugene, Oregon. Will Amusan be able to turn her bad situation in Budapest into a glorious one here in Oregon?
For former Nigerian sprinter, hurdler and jumper, coach Seigha Porbeni, the Diamond league final this weekend is a perfect avenue for Amusan to regain her pride in the 100m hurdles.
“Yes, Oregon is Amusan’s chance for revenge, “ he told The Guardian during the week. Porbeni, who is the Head Coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), said that the World Athletics Championship has come with all its ups and downs, adding that the Diamond League final at Oregon provides a great venue and opportunity for Amusan to repeat the world dazzling performance of 2022.
“Everything about Oregon speaks of positivity for Amusan. In Budapest, she had some mental and physical challenges coming from AIU’s suspension. And
mentally, it affected her start. She did catch up in all three races, but it led to serious exhaustion.
“Secondly, her inability to train at the highest level required for the World Championship, with uncertainty over participating, resulted in physical strength and aerobic deficiency. That was what played out in the final of the 100m hurdles.
“But it has been three weeks since Amusan left Budapest, and I believe she must have had full mental and physical restoration (recovery).
“Again, another advantage is that she has only one race to run because the Diamond league in Oregon is a straight final. Being a tough athlete and a fighter, I strongly believe it is going to be Amusan’s day, victory, and sweet revenge,” Porbeni stated.
Apart from the famous 12.12sec World Record, which she set in the semifinal last year, at Oregon, Amusan also ran a marginally wind assisted 12.06sec to capture the gold medal in the evening.
“Another Nigeria athlete, Ese Brume, is among the finalists for the Long Jump top prize at the Diamond League this weekend. Brume narrowly missed out in the medal zone in Budapest, finishing fourth.
She is back at the same Oregon, where she picked a silver medal last year during the 18th World Championships. Though, Brume has not been so fantastic this season, many believe anything can happen in the Diamond League final.
