Nigerian prodigy Tobi Amusan, who broke two world records in two hours has revealed how her dad was against her Athletic career many years ago.
Amusan recounted how her dad burnt her running kits in a bid to discourage her from doing Athletics.
According to the World record holder, her dad almost stopped her career in Athletics.
“My parents are both teachers, they are strict disciplinarians,” Amusan told BBC Sport Africa.
“When you grow up in such a family, they feel you should focus on school. And being a female, they think you are going to go astray, lose focus, and all of that.
“But because my mum saw what I didn’t see [in] myself, she felt she could give me a chance. And she kept telling me not to disappoint her.
“My mum would tell my dad I was going to church while I sneaked to practice or tell him I was going to a school debate while I went to out-of-state competition. That’s where it all started.
“My dad got really mad one time when he found out [I was running]. He burnt all my training gear and told my mum that’s the last time he wanted to see me in a stadium.”
Several years later, Amusan stood on the top step of the podium at Hayward Field on a historic day for Nigeria, when the country’s national anthem was played at the World Athletics Championships for the first time.
“It has not sunk in yet, maybe the magnitude of what just happened will hit me later,” she said.
“I go out there and put 100% in every championship and it’s just never enough. Every time it’s a fourth-place finish.
“Then this time my 100% is not only a gold medal but a world record. Trusting myself just made everything easier. I’m thankful to the man above for keeping me healthy. When God says it’s your time, it’s your time.”
The Nigerian, who finished fourth at both the 2019 World Athletics Championships and the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has finally etched her name into the track and field record books.
Amusan broke three records at the World Championship recently held in Oregon, USA,
She had previously broken the African record previously held by her before proceeding to break the 6 -year old world record set by America’s Keni Harrison.
