American Olympic champion Masai Russell produced a historic performance at the Weltklasse Zürich Diamond League meeting, breaking Tobi Amusan‘s four-year-old 100m hurdles world record with a stunning time of 12.09 seconds.

Russell, 26, delivered one of the defining moments of an extraordinary night at the Letzigrund Stadium, lowering Amusan’s previous world record of 12.12 seconds by three hundredths of a second.

The record-breaking run came in perfect conditions, with the wind reading 0.0m/sec, ensuring Russell’s performance was achieved without any wind assistance.

Russell had been threatening Amusan’s record throughout the season. She had already clocked 12.14 seconds in Xiamen in May, the second-fastest time ever recorded in the event, and appeared increasingly close to finally breaking the Nigerian’s long-standing mark.

This time, she delivered.

Amusan, who had held the world record since her historic run at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, finished second in Zurich with a season-best 12.23 seconds.

European champion Nadine Visser completed the podium in third after also recording a season-best 12.34 seconds.

Russell’s new mark also set Diamond League and meeting records, surpassing Amusan’s previous meeting record of 12.29 seconds, which she ran in Zurich in 2022.

For Amusan, the night represented the end of a remarkable four-year reign at the top of the women’s 100m hurdles. Her 12.12-second world record in Eugene had made her the first Nigerian athlete to set an individual senior athletics world record, cementing her place among the greatest hurdlers in history.

At the 2026 Weltklasse Zürich meeting, however, Russell finally succeeded where others had come close.

The American had spoken confidently about her chances of eventually breaking the record after her impressive performance in Xiamen earlier in the season.

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

Her prediction became reality in Zurich.

Russell’s achievement was part of an extraordinary night for world athletics, with another world record falling shortly before the women’s 100m hurdles.

Brazilian Alison dos Santos also produced a historic performance by breaking Karsten Warholm’s 400m hurdles world record at the same meeting.

The double record-breaking night added further significance to an already memorable Diamond League event and placed Russell at the centre of the headlines.

While Russell celebrated a new world record, Amusan’s 12.23 seconds provided a positive response from the Nigerian, who produced her fastest time of the season despite surrendering her place at the top of the all-time list.

Russell now holds the world record at 12.09 seconds, while Amusan begins a new chapter of her career chasing the mark she once set and dominated for four years.

The record may have changed hands in Zurich, but Amusan’s legacy in the 100m hurdles remains firmly established.

The post Tobi Amusan loses world record to Masai Russel appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Nigerian hurdler Ezekiel Nathaniel finished third in the men’s 400 metres hurdles at the Weltklasse Zürich Diamond League on Thursday, as Brazil’s Alison dos Santos produced a new world record in a historic race.

Dos Santos clocked a sensational 45.80 seconds to win the event and lower the previous world record of 45.94 seconds, set by Norway’s Karsten Warholm at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.

The Brazilian’s performance made him only the second man in history to run the 400m hurdles in under 46 seconds, joining Warholm in the exclusive club.

Warholm, one of the event’s dominant figures, finished second in Zürich in 46.69 seconds, while Nathaniel crossed the line third in 47.50 seconds.

For Nigeria, Nathaniel’s podium finish provides a notable highlight from one of the biggest races of the Diamond League meeting. The Nigerian athlete held his own against two of the most accomplished names in the event as the race produced a new benchmark in the discipline.

Nathaniel has established himself as one of Nigeria’s leading 400m hurdlers and continues to compete at the highest level of international athletics. His third-place finish in Zürich also adds valuable experience as he continues to challenge the leading athletes in the event.

The result places Nathaniel among the competitors behind one of the most significant performances in 400m hurdles history.

Dos Santos’ 45.80 seconds was not only a victory but also a major improvement on Warholm’s previous mark, underlining the increasingly competitive nature of the event.

With Nathaniel recording 47.50 seconds for third place, Nigeria leaves Zürich with a podium finish from one of its leading track athletes, while Dos Santos leaves with a world record that further reshapes the history of the men’s 400m hurdles.

The Zürich Diamond League meeting therefore delivered a memorable night for the event, with a Brazilian world record, a second-place finish for Warholm and a Nigerian podium finish from Nathaniel.

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Kenyan Airforce Senior Private, Daisilah Jerono, flew to a thrilling victory over her compatriot, Faith Cherono at the Totalsports Women’s Race in Cape Town in celebration of National Women’s Day.

In a last-gasp sprint to the finish line on the city’s Grand Parade, Jerono proved the stronger and she broke the tape in 31 min 29 sec – just three seconds clear of Cherono.  Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala claimed third in 33:23.

10 000 runners got underway from in front of the City Hall, below the statue of Nelson Mandela, apparently waving to the runners from the balcony from where he made his first speech on release from prison 36 years ago.

“The Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town once again showcased the incredible power of women coming together to celebrate fitness, friendship and purpose,” said Head of Marketing at Totalsports, Nikki Crous.

“It was inspiring to see thousands of women fill the streets of the Mother City, creating an unforgettable atmosphere while supporting the important work of PinkDrive. A heartfelt thank you to every participant, volunteer, partner and supporter who helped make the day such a memorable success.”   

Given the windy conditions and the hilly course through some of the historic sections of the city it was remarkable that Jerono, 23, achieved her primary aim – to finish strongly and run a personal best time.  That she cut 15 seconds off her previous best of 31:44 set in Boston, USA, just two months ago, points to the emergence of another sporting great from the highlands of Kenya.

“The race was so tough,” Jerono said. “It was so hilly and the weather for the race was not good – it was so windy. But I tried my best and I’m happy for the win.

“I didn’t come with the idea of winning. I came to see where I am in my training. I was not expecting it – it’s by God’s grace. The runners were so cheerful, and I really liked how they cheered for us. God willing, maybe I’ll come back next year.”

The Kenyan duo raced to the front shortly after the start and were soon clear of the field, leaving Khatala, winner of last week’s Durban leg of the three-leg Totalsports Women’s Race series, to run solo in third for the entire race.

The two were still together as they crossed Darling Street into the finish precinct on the Grand Parade, where Jerono’s 800m track speed proved decisive.

Australian-registered Olga Firsova finished 4^th in 36:20 as first master (40 years) with Cape Town runner, Marie-Tinka Olivier 5^th.

Born at Eldoret, 2100 metres above sea level, where she attended school, Jerono has enjoyed the benefits of being raised at altitude and looks set for higher honours on track and road. The only athlete in her family, her parents and six siblings have been following her athletics career with pride.

“I joined the Kenyan Airforce in 2021 and I work in the Moi Airbase at Nairobi as part of the security detail for the base,” Jerono continued. “I’m fortunate to be able to get time off to train at a training facility nearby.”

Jerono’s disciplined training started to pay dividends 18 months back when she dipped under 70 minutes at the Ras Al Khamah Half Marathon in the UAE, before taking third at the Istanbul Half Marathon in April last year in 68:17.

She continued to improve, winning the Santa Pola Half Marathon in Spain in January this year in 67:26 before finishing second in the Bruj2Burj Half Marathon in Dubai in 66:59.

But it was her 65:21 in finishing second to Ethiopian Likina Amebaw  in March which catapulted her into the top echelons of road running. Her performance, 7^th fastest in the world over the half marathon in 2026, earned her a call-up to represent Kenya at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen next month.

“It will be my first time running for Kenya and its by God’s grace,” Jerono reflected. “The Cape Town race has been part of my preparation for the championship.  My aim for the championships will be to go for a medal.”

Results Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town

1 Daisilah Jerono (Kenya) 31:29, 2 Faith Cherono (Kenya) 31:32, 3 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 33:23, 4 Olga Firsova (Australia) 36:20, 5 Marie-Tinka Olivier (South Africa) 37:25, 6 Nicole Van Wyk (South Africa) 37:43, 7 Deanne Laubscher (South Africa) 38:07, 8 Lauren Jonathan (South Africa) 38:18, 9 Yandiswa Shange (South Africa) 38:39, 10 Mia Steytler (South Africa) 38:49

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