Amusan clocked 12.34 seconds to take the silver medal, finishing behind American Olympic champion Masai Russell, who produced a winning time of 12.22 seconds to complete an outstanding season.
Dutch hurdler Nadine Visser finished third in 12.39 seconds.
Although Amusan was unable to reclaim the world record or stop Russell from taking the title, her performance once again showed that she remains firmly among the leading 100m hurdlers in the world.
Russell had entered the Budapest final as the athlete to beat following a remarkable campaign. The American had gone through the season unbeaten and had already taken another major step in her career by breaking Amusan’s world record in Zurich in August.
Russell clocked 12.09 seconds in Zurich, improving on the 12.12 seconds Amusan ran in 2022 to set the previous world record.
She carried that confidence into Budapest and produced another commanding performance, crossing the line in 12.22 seconds to become the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship winner in the event.
The victory brought the American’s extraordinary season to an emphatic close, adding another major achievement to a campaign built around consistency, speed and her Olympic pedigree.
For Amusan, the silver medal was another reminder of her ability to compete at the highest level even after losing the world record she had held for several years.
She finished only 0.12 seconds behind Russell and comfortably ahead of Visser, one of the most experienced and consistent athletes on the international circuit.
In an event where the difference between a gold medal and second place can come down to hundredths of a second, Amusan’s 12.34 seconds was another world class performance under pressure.
The Nigerian’s remarkable rise to the top of the event began in spectacular fashion in 2022 when she stunned the athletics world at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Amusan ran 12.12 seconds in the semi finals to set a new world record before going on to win the world title, establishing herself as one of Nigeria’s biggest stars in athletics.
Her record stood as one of the most celebrated achievements in Nigerian athletics until Russell’s 12.09 seconds in Zurich brought her reign to an end.
However, the loss of the record has done little to diminish Amusan’s reputation. Her consistency over several seasons has kept her among the sport’s elite, and her latest performance in Budapest further underlined her ability to challenge for major honours.
Amusan’s record also includes three Diamond League titles in the 100m hurdles, highlighting the level of consistency she has maintained throughout her career.
She has continued to remain competitive despite the emergence of new challengers and changes in the hierarchy of the event, making her one of the most recognisable figures in Nigerian athletics.
The Budapest silver now joins a career record that includes a world championship title, a former world record and multiple Diamond League successes.
For Nigeria, her continued presence on the podium at major international competitions remains a major source of encouragement and another sign of the country’s ability to produce athletes capable of competing with the best in the world.
The latest meeting between Russell and Amusan could also be the beginning of an increasingly interesting rivalry.
Russell now owns the world record and has enjoyed a remarkable season, but Amusan’s performance in Budapest showed that the gap between the two athletes is far from insurmountable.
Only 0.12 seconds separated them in the final, leaving Amusan with a clear target as she looks to close the distance in future competitions.
Both athletes possess the speed and technical ability to challenge for major titles, meaning their future meetings could become some of the most closely watched contests in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Russell will now look to build on a season that has seen her rise from Olympic champion to world record holder and inaugural Ultimate Championship winner.
Amusan, meanwhile, will have her sights set on continued improvement and another opportunity to return to the top of the podium.
Her silver medal in Budapest also gives Nigerian athletics another positive moment on the international stage.
While gold remains the ultimate ambition for any elite competitor, finishing second in a global championship featuring the world’s leading hurdlers is a significant achievement.
Amusan’s 12.34 seconds showed that she still possesses the pace and composure required to perform at the highest level, while her continued success provides an example for younger Nigerian athletes hoping to make their mark internationally.
The emergence of Russell as the new world record holder may have changed the landscape of the event, but Amusan’s latest performance suggests she remains very much part of the conversation at the top.
For now, Russell leaves Budapest with the biggest prize, while Amusan returns home with another international medal and another reminder of her remarkable staying power.
The silver may not have been the result the Nigerian wanted, but it reinforces an important fact about her career. Losing the world record has not ended Amusan’s place among the most formidable forces in women’s 100m hurdles.
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