Masai Russell Runs 12.14s To Win Diamond League Xiamen, Comes Close To Tobi Amusan’s World Record

Masai Russell Runs 12.14s to Win Diamond League Xiamen, Comes Close to Tobi Amusan’s World Record American Olympic champion Masai Russell delivered a stunning performance at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, China, running 12.14 seconds to win the women’s 100m hurdles and move within striking distance of the world record held by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan. Russell’s time, recorded under legal conditions, made her the second-fastest woman in history over the distance, just 0.02 seconds shy of Amusan’s world record of 12.12 seconds set in 2022. The Olympic champion produced a powerful and controlled race from start to finish, holding off a world-class field that included top contenders such as Tobi Amusan and other global medalists. Her winning time of 12.14s also set a new Diamond League record and North American record, further confirming her rapid rise in the event. Amusan, the reigning world record holder, finished second in the race, while other elite hurdlers followed closely behind in a highly competitive final.Russell’s performance has intensified global attention on the women’s 100m hurdles, with analysts noting that she is now consistently operating at a level capable of threatening Amusan’s long-standing world record. She had previously run 12.17 seconds, making her the second-fastest woman in history before improving again in Xiamen. The Xiamen race further strengthened the growing rivalry between Russell and Amusan, who has dominated the event since her record-breaking run in Eugene in 2022. With both athletes regularly posting sub-12.20 performances, the women’s hurdles circuit is now widely regarded as one of the most competitive events in world athletics The meet also featured other world-class performances, including a 71.74m javelin throw by China’s rising star Yan Ziyi, one of the longest throws in women’s history, and multiple record-breaking performances across track and field events.Russell’s 12.14s run signals a major escalation in the chase for the world record, with analysts suggesting that the barrier set by Amusan could soon be under serious threat if current form continues.With the Diamond League season still ongoing, attention now shifts to whether Russell can convert her near-record performances into a new global best.