The Nigerian sprint hurdler heads into the competition with an outstanding history at the continental championships, having secured five gold medals in both individual and relay events over the years.

Amusan claimed gold in the women’s 100m hurdles and 4x100m relay at Asaba 2018 before repeating the same double victory at Mauritius 2022. She later added another relay gold medal at Douala 2024.

Although many expected her to defend her hurdles title in Douala, she skipped the individual event due to personal reasons and only competed in the relay race.

Liberia’s Ebony Morrison currently holds the women’s 100m hurdles title after winning in a championship-record time of 12.7 seconds ahead of South Africa’s Marione Fourie and Madagascar’s Sidonie Fiadanantsoa.

Amusan is widely tipped as favourite to reclaim the title, but fellow Nigerians Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday are also expected to compete strongly in the event.

Tabugbo already has experience on the continental stage after finishing fifth in the 100m hurdles at Douala 2024 and winning relay gold with Amusan. She enters the championship with an impressive personal best of 12.87 seconds.

Sunday, on the other hand, will be making her senior international debut. She recorded a personal best of 13.67 seconds earlier this year during the AFN Golden League event held in Benin.

The heats for the women’s 100m hurdles are scheduled for 5:30pm today, while the final will take place tomorrow at 4:45pm.

After the African Championships, Amusan is also expected to begin her 2026 Diamond League campaign in Shanghai just three days later.

The Shanghai event will feature some of the biggest names in women’s sprint hurdles, including reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji, Olympic gold medallist Masai Russell, Jamaican star Danielle Williams and Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton.

Amusan remains the fastest woman in history over the event with her incredible world record time of 12.12 seconds.