Olympic Champion Masai Russell makes her feelings known as she makes her first appearance of the 2025 season

Paris Olympic gold medalist Masai Russell competed in her first race in four months after last competing at the Silesia Diamond League in the last season. Russell made her Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, bagging a gold medal in the 100m hurdles event.

She won the title after clocking 12:33 seconds and defeated Cyréna Samba-Mayela and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who clocked 12:34 and 12:36 seconds, respectively. Following this glorious victory, she competed in the Silesia Diamond League on August 25, 2024, and settled in fourth place.

After enjoying a remarkable 2024 season, she competed in the 4x400m relay to kick off her new season. Further, she was seen competing in the hurdles event for the first time in the 2025 season at the Texas Tech Corky Classic held at the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock on January 17 to 18.

She defeated Devynne Charlton to dominate the 60m hurdles after recording 7.89 seconds. Following her first victory in her pet event in 2025, she took to social media to share a glimpse of the race and wrote:

"7.89 SEASON OPENER… let the season begin."

Further, she shared the video on her Instagram story and conveyed her joy in returning to the track while showing optimism about the upcoming season.

"First hurdle race in 4 months! Happy to be back with so much more to come. I was so high over the first couple but we got the job done. This szn will be great one! Claiming it now."

Screenshot of Russell's Instagram story.

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Masai Russell expresses disbelief in entering her second season as a pro athlete

Masai Russell of the United States during the Diamond League Silesia in Chorzow, Poland. (Photo via Getty Images)

Before competing in her first hurdle race of the 2025 season, Masai Russell opened her 2025 season by competing in the 4x400m relay race at the Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational on Saturday.

She competed for the Kentucky Elite athletes alongside Anavia Battle, Devynne Charlton and Christal Mosley. The team settled in second place after clocking 3:37.49. Following her first race of the season, Russell expressed her disbelief in entering her second season as a pro athlete.

"Just like that szn 2025 is underway! Can’t believe I’m going into my second year as a professional 🥹"

"But it was a good day at the track… split a calm 52 to open up the season & praying it’s my last one till next season 🤣 but anyways we’re back on the track next weekend headed to Texas Tech to open in the 60 & 60H 🥳🤭⏰🫣! Wish me luckkk."

Masai Russell clocked a split of 52.84 seconds in the 4x400m relay race.