Countdown to Glory: What to Expect from the 2025 World Athletics Championships

The countdown is on to the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 25. Japan will be the host for the third time, and events will take place at the refurbished National Stadium with its state-of-the-art design.

It will be a fitting venue for thrilling contests in track and field, where reigning champions will defend their titles and others will challenge them. Fans couldn’t watch the Tokyo Olympics due to pandemic restrictions, but they will be back in the stands this time to watch this major sporting spectacle.

Star athletes to watch

Swedish athlete Mondo Duplantis has broken the world pole vaulting record for a 13th time. He managed to clear 6.29 m at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest. At the World Championships, he is set on breaking 6.30 m in front of the Tokyo crowd.

English middle-distance runner Keely Hodgkinson won the gold medal in the 800m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She has had to deal with some injuries, but her current times are very promising, and she could potentially break records in the 800m. Kenya’s Mary Moraa could just give her a run for her money.

American sprinter Noah Lyles says he’s ready for the challenges that lie ahead of him despite a season with some obstacles and injuries. His eyes are set on the gold in the 100m and 200m. American sports bettors engaging in online sports betting are likely to be betting on him to win.

Shericka Jackson, the power sprinter from Jamaica, also has 100m and 200m gold in her sights. She has clocked the second-fastest 200 m time in history at 21.41 seconds. American Shar’Carri Richardson is likely to be her strongest challenger.

Neeraj Chopra of India will return to defend his javelin crown earned at the Tokyo Olympics. The Czech thrower, Jakub Vadlejch, will be trying to take the crown from him.

Qualifying for the World Athletic Championships

The qualification system is based on both entry standards and world rankings. Athletes qualify for the World Athletics Championships mainly by achieving specific entry standards set by World Athletics during a qualifying window. Many of the places are filled by athletes who rank highly in major sports events. The reigning world champion in a specific discipline is guaranteed a spot. Diamond League winners can receive automatic wild cards.

Relays and certain other events follow distinct qualification routes, which may involve strong performances at designated competitions like the World Athletics Relays. 

The USATF Outdoor Championships decides many of the spots on the U.S. team. In India, the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships are the final qualifying battleground for spots on the team for Tokyo.

A packed schedule

There will be 49 track and field events held over the nine days, and over 2,000 athletes will compete. Morning and evening sessions will take place. The competition starts with the 22-mile race walk and ends with the mixed 4 x 400 m relay. The final day will feature the men’s 4 x 100 m relay.

Athletes will be awarded 147 medals in the different disciplines. Men and women will take part in 24 different disciplines, and one event is mixed. Events include sprints, hurdles, long jumps, high jumps, race walks, relays, and more. Individual athletes and relay teams can win prize money, and the total prize pot is US$8,498,000.

Controversy beyond the track

Athletes and federations are concerned about new SRY gene testing protocols aimed at verifying biological sex. Governing bodies are under pressure to ensure fairness while still protecting athletes’ rights. Delays in getting results and disputes are causing complications.

Watching the World Athletics Championships

Gamers who are also sports fans may unblock popular games of an athletic nature where they can train as an athlete in track and field events or participate in multiplayer tournaments. This can increase their interest in events like the World Athletics Championships, and they may even hold online viewing parties to watch this year.

In the UK, the BBC will offer live coverage. Streaming will be available in a few territories via the World Athletics website and partner networks like talkSPORT. In the U.S., streaming will be exclusively on NBC and Peacock.