This is Stuart Weir’s feature on the 100m hurdle final. Stuart is the RBR Senior writer for Europe. He is covering the Tokyo 2025 champs from London. We miss our friend.
Ditaji Kambundji wins the sprint hurdles
To say that the women’s 100m hurdles was stacked would be an understatement! The final included the defending world champion (Danielle Williams), the reigning Olympic Champion (Masai Russell), the 2025 World Indoor champion (Devynne Charlton) and in fact the top four from the World Indoors plus the World record holder (Tobi Amusen). The recently crowned Diamond League champion (Ackera Nugent) had gone out in the semi-finals, the ninth fastest with 8 in the final. The fastest in the semi-finals were Amusen (12.36) and Grace Stark (12.37). Six athletes ran 12.45 or under in the 3 semi-finals.
If the semi-finals were fast, the final was faster. The top four were
1 Ditaji Kambundji 12.24
2 Tobi Amusen 12.29
3 Grace Stark 12.34
4 Masai Russell 12.44
Nadine Visser ran 12.56 and was eighth! Danielle Williams was fastest in the prelims (12.40) and impressive in the semi-finals but the defending champion’s challenge finished when she hit hurdle two.
The event has always fascinated me because of the way it combines speed with the jeopardy. These are the 8 previous winners that I have been privileged to watch live
2023 Danielle Williams 12.43
2022 Tobi Amusen 12.06w
2019 Nia Ali 12.34
2017 Sally Pearson 12.59
2015 Danielle Williams 12.57
2013 Briana Rollins 12.44
2011 Sally Pearson 12.28
2009 Brigitte Foster-Hylton 12.51
It is interesting to note that it would be 14 years before Sally Pearson’s 12.28 was bettered and that Nadine Visser’s 12.56 would have won in 2015 and 2017.
Before this season Ditaji Kambundji was often seen as Mujinga’s younger sister. In 2025 with the European Indoor title, a silver at the World Indoors and gold at the Worlds, the girl has come of age. She commented on her win: “It’s crazy. I was giving my all. I tried to focus on myself. I was calm and pretty collected. I knew I had it in me. You could see on my face how happy I was when I realised I won. I was surprised. I thought that I was able to do it, but I was surprised because I knew all my competitors were able to win. This is something I have been working for and to run it the way I wanted to is special. Getting a personal best is nice but all that mattered today was the title. This result gives me a lot of motivation to work harder but right now I am just enjoying the title. It’s amazing to be a world champion. My family is here in the stands – my mum, dad and my aunt, and it feels amazing to be able to share this moment with them. Memories from Tokyo will always be amazing for my family. In 2021 (at the Olympics) my sister Mujinga was in three finals. We definitely have a good relationship with this track. I am sure my sister is excited for me. It’s exciting to have her support. I was thinking about her a lot during these days. Our bond is really special. I know she will be thrilled. I am bringing home something really incredible”.
Amusen said: “I told myself I am not leaving without a medal. I know nobody likes the silver but I will take it. When I am hurdling, I cannot see to my left. But at the last hurdle, I knew there was someone there, maybe two. And I just kept telling myself to keep running until I got to the finish and then get a decent lean. I am just thankful for today. I was ready to catch a medal and I came out here and focused on my lane”.
Grace Stark summed up her experience: “I just wanted to walk away from here with a medal, that’s always the goal coming in. I got a bronze medal here and I’m going to have more fun at Athlos (meeting in New York). My family’s kept me so grounded and been with me in these moments. Last year at the Olympics was very useful – the first time I was out there with a big crowd. Coming out here the crowd wasn’t overwhelming. Getting on the line with the other great women is amazing. I think it’s such a great thing happening in our sport and for women because I feel women’s sports aren’t as big”.
Olympic champion, Masai Russell, said: “Every race is a learning opportunity. I have lost more than I ever won. This is not unfamiliar territory for me. The job is not finished here. I am happy with the season I had. I did not get what I wanted from the biggest meet of the year. I know the talent I have. It was just one of those days. You live and you learn. I am not going to beat myself up because I did not win a medal”.
A great final and a worthy winner.
Stuart Weir has been to eight world championships but is watching Tokyo from home because of a health issue.
