Russell keen on breaking Amusan’s world record

Olympic champion Masai Russell has declared her ambition to break Tobi Amusan’s women’s 100m hurdles world record after producing the second-fastest time in history at the 2026 Xiamen Diamond League on Saturday, PidomNigeria Sports Extra reports.

Russell stormed to victory in Xiamen with a time of 12.14 seconds, setting a new United States record and missing Amusan’s world record of 12.12 seconds by just 0.02.

The performance also backed up her winning display at the previous Diamond League meeting in Shanghai.

The American finished comfortably ahead of Amusan, who placed second in a season’s best time of 12.28 seconds, while Devynne Charlton claimed third in a new Bahamian record of 12.37 seconds.

Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds came fourth in 12.52 seconds.

Speaking after the race, Russell said her recent performances were proof that her preparations and consistency were paying off, while insisting that she remained determined to lower Amusan’s global mark.

“I’m ecstatic and all the hard work is truly showing,” Russell told the Diamond League.

“I’ve been saying all year that I’m going to break the world record. I don’t know when it’s going to come, but I keep getting closer and closer.”

“It’s still early for me. Once we get into championship season, we’ll see some even crazier times, which is crazy to say.”

Russell also credited her improvement this season to consistency, confidence and greater focus in her approach to competition.

“Just consistency and just believing that I am the best and one of the best hurdlers ever,” she added.

“I’m so focused. I’m so consistent this year. I feel like I’m just growing and learning every single time.”

Amusan set the current world record of 12.12 seconds at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, United States, becoming the first Nigerian world champion in athletics.