Kara Riggs The 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo delivered a festival of breathtaking performances, record-breaking feats, and unforgettable stories. From September 13 to 21, over 2,000 athletes representing more than 200 nations competed at Japan National Stadium, pushing the limits of human potential across 49 track and field events.
Global Highlights: Records Shattered and New Stars Born
The Championships closed with the USA dominating the relays, securing gold in both women’s 4x100m and 4x400m. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden wrote her name in history by completing a rare sprint treble, following in the footsteps of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who made her World Championships farewell in Tokyo. Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet stormed to a historic double in the 5000m and 10,000m, while Botswana stunned the crowd by pipping the USA in the men’s 4x400m relay.
Notably, championship records fell in the men’s 800m, courtesy of Lilian Odira, and in the hammer throw, where Canada’s Ethan Katzberg produced the longest throw seen in over 20 years. Leo Neugebauer of Germany took decathlon gold, and Daniel Stahl won his third consecutive world title in discus.
Full Medal Tally (Top 10 nations)
- USA – 13 Gold, 10 Silver, 8 Bronze
- Jamaica – 7 Gold, 4 Silver, 6 Bronze
- Kenya – 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze
- Ethiopia – 5 Gold, 6 Silver, 4 Bronze
- Great Britain – 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze
- Canada – 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze
- Australia – 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
- Germany – 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
- China – 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze
- France – 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
Other countries including New Zealand and India added to the global tally with highly anticipated performances in key finals.
New Zealand Highlights: Hamish Kerr and Rising Stars
New Zealand celebrated one of its greatest Championship moments as Hamish Kerr soared to victory in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.36m to equal his own Oceanian record and claim world gold. This triumph established Kerr as both the Olympic and world champion, cementing his role as an inspiration for Kiwi youth and a star of world athletics.
George Beamish delivered another surprise for New Zealand, claiming victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase after a tenacious run that saw him outpace defending Olympic and world champion El Bakkali. Shot putters Tom Walsh and Maddi Wesche made finals, continuing their consistency on the global stage, with Connor Bell achieving a discus finals berth.
These results underscore the growing strength and depth of New Zealand’s athletics program, with mentorship and grassroots development continuing to pay off for the nation.
India’s Campaign: Hard-Fought Finals and Javelin Drama
India’s 19-member squad competed valiantly across 15 medal events. Javelin icon Neeraj Chopra, who previously made global headlines in Budapest 2023, finished eighth in a fiercely contested final, while teammate Sachin Yadav narrowly missed the podium with a personal best that landed him fourth—a promising sign for future World Championships and Olympic campaigns.
Other Indian finalists included long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, both of whom made the final rounds but finished outside the medals in strong international fields. The women’s relay squad gained valuable experience, and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel set a new Indian record in the qualifying rounds.
Despite missing out on medals in Tokyo, the Indian team displayed resilience and progress, with several national records set and a new generation of athletes proving India’s pedigree in speed, power, and endurance events.
Unforgettable Moments and Closing Ceremony
The Championships concluded with an astounding closing ceremony, blending Japanese culture and international unity. Star sprinters, distance heroes, and field event titans were celebrated, symbolising the boundless potential of global sport.
Athletes from New Zealand and India left Tokyo with renewed motivation, new benchmarks, and the admiration of fans worldwide. For athletics on both sides of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Tokyo 2025 marks not just an ending, but a promising launchpad for Paris 2027 and beyond.
