English
French
In Tokyo, Ditaji Kambundji became the first Swiss woman ever to win a world title in athletics! The Bernese hurdler dominated the 100m hurdles final from start to finish, smashing her own national record with a stunning 12.24.
More than her physical and technical abilities, it was her mental strength that stood out once again on the big stage. In an event where all eight finalists could realistically aim for a medal, even the title, it was the youngest of the Kambundji sisters, just 23 years old, who rose above them all.
Never before had a Swiss woman claimed a global outdoor crown. The last Swiss athlete to strike world gold was André Bucher in the 800m back in 2001. Before him, only Werner Günthör in the shot put, three times, had managed it.
Kambundji’s achievement is all the more historic as she didn’t just win, she dominated, finishing just 0.12 off Tobi Amusan’s world record while lowering her own Swiss record by 0.16. The Nigerian world record holder had to settle for silver in 12.29, with American Grace Stark taking bronze in 12.34.
At Athletissima in August, Kambundji had already impressed under pouring rain with a 3rd-place finish in 12.54. But in Tokyo, as World Athletics wrote, she “shocked” the athletics world. She, however, was not surprised: “It’s crazy, but I knew I could do it,” she admitted. One of the most heartfelt tributes came from Amusan herself, who embraced the Swiss star moments after the finish line…