#tokyo2025

In one of the most gripping finales of the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Sweden’s Daniel Ståhl snatched gold in the men’s discus with a final throw of 70.47 meters, overcoming a two-hour rain delay that tested the focus and will of every athlete. Held in Tokyo’s National Stadium, where Ståhl won Olympic gold in 2021, the event was meant to be the last medal awarded—and it didn’t disappoint.

The Delay: Rain, Rescheduling, and Waiting in the Rings

The men’s discus final began under threatening skies, but heavy rain forced officials to interrupt after just two rounds. The discus circle turned slippery; athletes and officials alike retreated for safety. Over two hours passed as rain fell, time ticked by, and the stadium emptied. Only after the closing ceremony did the competition resume. Volunteers wiped down the ring, officials dried implements, and athletes tried to reset mentally in the drizzle. Many were soaked; many were frustrated. But Ståhl had trained for conditions like this. He later said that rain is almost a given in Tokyo in September-October, and that what matters is keeping focus, patience, and faith.

Mykolas Alekna: The Early Leader Who Couldn’t Hang

Before the deluge, Lithuanian thrower Mykolas Alekna—already world record holder—threw 67.84 meters in his second attempt. It was the only legal throw before the rain shut everything down. That mark held for a while, giving Alekna fans hope for a title match. Yet as rounds progressed after the delay, he fouled his final attempt. Though silver is a major accomplishment, especially at this level and this age, it left him short of the gold he aimed for—and of overtaking the legacy of his father, Virgilijus Alekna, who won multiple world titles himself.

The Turnaround: Stahl’s Penultimate Throw Steals the Show

With the stadium humid and the circle still damp, Daniel Ståhl—33, experienced, and unflappable—stepped up for what would become the penultimate throw of the competition. Nothing in the earlier attempts suggested something monumental was coming; other throws had been solid, but not spectacular. Then Ståhl launched the discus 70.47 meters. Season best. Gold medal distance. Game over. The crowd stirred as distance flicked just past the officials’ marker. For a moment, the focus of the championship shifted entirely onto that arc of steel, spinning through wet air. Ståhl later admitted he’d prepared mentally for this: holding steady, ignoring weather and delays, trusting his technique.

Bronze & Firsts: Samoa’s Alex Rose Makes History

Behind the gold-silver drama, Samoa’s Alex Rose earned bronze with a throw of 66.96 meters in his fifth attempt. It was more than a personal achievement—it was Samoa’s first ever World Championships medal in athletics. Rose works a full-time job outside sport, and his path to the podium has been one of balancing life and training, of perseverance. When the medal was confirmed, his joy was palpable. He credited both hope and hard work in interviews, saying the result had been years in the making.

What This Means for Ståhl’s Legacy

For Daniel Ståhl, this gold is his third world title in discus, reinforcing his status as one of the greatest in the event. He had already achieved Olympic gold, multiple world medals, and records. But winning under chaotic, adverse conditions—after weather delays, under pressure from younger throwers, with the crowd waiting well past usual hours—says something extra: mental toughness, adaptability, clutch performance. Tokyo has now played host to two of his biggest successes, 2021 Olympics and this moment in 2025. He called the stadium his favourite of all time and spoke emotionally about what it meant to win again in that place.

Alekna’s Near-Miss & What It Suggests for His Future

Though Alekna didn’t take gold, his display was impressive. A legal throw of 67.84 in difficult conditions, and fighting till the very end. But the fouled last attempt hurt. For a 22-year-old already holding the world record, fans and analysts now expect more: better consistency, cleaner finals, and refining performances under pressure. His silver adds to his tally of podium finishes, but the thirst for a major gold remains. His father’s legacy in discus is a benchmark; Mykolas is now repeatedly measured against it. With this event behind him, the focus will shift to next championships, and whether he can break the warp-speed matchups often faced with Ståhl in his prime.

Tokyo, Rain & the Drama of Athletics

This final was more than a contest of strengths—it was a contest of patience and physical resilience. Rain delays are always part of athletics in outdoor stadiums, but rarely do they stretch past two hours and force delays beyond ceremonies. The event’s scheduling—the last medial final of the championship—added weight. After many track events, after spectators had weathered long days, after athletes had waited through uncertainty, the discus final resumed. Volunteers dried circles, track officials ensured safety, and athletes adjusted shoes, grips, and mindset. When you think about championships, you remember the moments of triumph; here, despite drama—weathered literally—it ended with one.

The Larger Picture: What This Means for Nations, Athletes & Fans

Ståhl’s gold is a win for Sweden, strengthening its legacy in field events. Samoa’s Rose shows that small nations can break through when talent and persistence meet opportunity. The story told here isn’t just about one throw: it’s about how athletics handles unpredictability—weather, scheduling, athlete stress—and still produces moments that feel like theatre. For the audience, watching under umbrellas, waiting late at night, the reward was worth it.

For younger athletes—especially those competing under-resourced, or coming from islands or countries without heavy athletics infrastructure—Rose’s bronze means representation, hope, belief. For Alekna, another silver means unfinished business. For Ståhl, another gold means confirmation of sustained excellence.

At age 38, just a few months short of turning 39, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce brought down the curtain on her legendary individual 100 metres career with a sixth-place finish in Tokyo, clocking 11.03 seconds. A three-time Olympic and ten-time world champion, she retires having transformed sprinting — and redefined what age, motherhood, and sheer willpower look like on the track.

A Career That Transcended Expectations

Fraser-Pryce’s journey began in 2007 when she was a reserve on Jamaica’s 4×100m relay squad in Osaka. She didn’t start that way believing she belonged. Raised by a single mother in one room in Kingston, she knew struggle; she knew sacrifice. Yet over nearly two decades, she collected Olympic golds, world titles, and medals beyond count. She showed up not just to compete, but to endure — to persist when the world often assumed her best days were behind her.

Motherhood changed her life, but not her ambition. After giving birth in 2017, many expected that her fastest years in sprinting were over. Instead, she returned to win 100m world titles in 2019 and 2022. She proved that being a mother and being an elite athlete are not mutually exclusive, and for many women around the world, that became a message of possibility, not limitation.

Tokyo 2025: The Final Bow

At the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo she lined up in what would be her last individual 100m final. The race wasn’t about gold or records—it was about a farewell. When the starters called her to blocks, there was weight in the moment: every stride that had made her a legend, every hurdle she had cleared, every early morning run, every sacrifice. She ran 11.03 seconds—well off her personal best, but rich with meaning. Standing at the line, she raised her head, embraced the moment, and left the track with grace.

More than Medals: Legacy & Influence

She finishes not just with trophies, but with impact. Her 10 world golds and three Olympic golds tell of dominance, but her legacy also lies in what she inspired. Her nickname “Pocket Rocket” nods to her explosive starts, but her influence rockets beyond track: breaking stereotypes about age and motherhood; mentoring younger athletes; giving back through charitable work; helping young Jamaican athletes with financial need. For Tina Clayton and others in the Jamaican sprinting future, Fraser-Pryce wasn’t just a hero to watch—she was a pathbreaker, making the dream seem more possible.

Reflections from the Pocket Rocket

Fraser-Pryce herself has often spoken about the deep love she has for Jamaica, for representing a country she feels privileged to carry on her back. Her reflections since her Tokyo run are filled with gratitude—for the fans, the teammates, the coaches, the family, particularly her son, Zyon. She speaks of finishing “on her own terms,” of perseverance and self-belief. She doesn’t hide that there were doubts, times of pain, fear, but she leaned into them, held them down, and kept pushing.

Moments Along the Road

Winning the 100m world titles in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2022 — five times world champion in a single discipline, the sprint-queen status.

Returning after motherhood to win again. Those wins in 2019 and 2022 were more than medals—they were messages: to self, to Jamaica, to women globally.

Her short stature — 1.52 metres — never held her back. In fact, it became part of her myth: the small powerhouse who launched hard, who left many larger sprinters chasing her fade.

Mentoring, philanthropy, her Pocket Rocket Foundation, supporting underprivileged high school athletes, showing that greatness isn’t just what you do on the track, but also what you give back.

What the Finish Line Means

Even as she steps away from individual sprints, her presence in Jamaican sprinting will only change form. She’ll lead in the 4×100m relay at Worlds as one last hurrah alongside younger sprinters. She leaves behind a standard of toughness, consistency, and humility that few can match. Her retirement is a moment to reflect on how she expanded what a sprinter’s timeline can be, especially for women balancing sport, motherhood, aging, and expectations.

Fraser-Pryce’s final individual race wasn’t about going out with a win—it was about going out with dignity, with significance. There’s power in choosing the moment, in having the sport applaud not just your victories but your journey.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ends her individual 100m career not in defeat but in fullness. Her story is sewn into the fabric of track & field history. Through every cap, every late night, every kid who looked up to her, she has shown something rare: how to run with heart, how to finish with purpose, and how to leave a legacy that won’t be measured just in seconds, but in lives changed and hearts inspired.

Eight former LSU athletes will be competing at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, bringing prestige, experience, and medal-hope to the meet. From explosive sprinters to world-record pole vaulters and field stars, these Tigers who once starred in Baton Rouge are now representing their countries on sport’s biggest stage.

LSU’s Presence in the Global Field

The Tokyo championships run from September 12–21 at Japan National Stadium, where over 2,000 athletes from nearly 200 countries will compete. Among them are eight former LSU Tigers: Thelma Davies, Mondo Duplantis, Natoya Goule-Toppin, JuVaughn Harrison, Jake Norris, Vernon Norwood, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Claudio Romero. In addition, Rosemary Chukwuma, who trains with LSU’s Tiger Olympians group, will compete for Nigeria. LSU is making its mark through its alumni in multiple disciplines.

Prize money is set to be significant: World Athletics is awarding US$70,000 to gold medalists in the 49 events.

Iconic Former Tigers: What They Bring to the Meet

Here’s a closer look at some of the standout Tiger alumni headed to Tokyo, what they're known for, and what to watch from them.

Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) — Pole Vault Phenom

Mondo Duplantis has long been one of the most dominant pole vaulters in history. He broke world records while at LSU, won NCAA titles, SEC championships, and has held the world height standard outdoors and indoors. In Tokyo, expect him to be a strong gold medal favorite, given his consistency in hitting marks well over 6 meters.

Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) — Sprint Firepower

Known for her explosive starts and raw speed, Sha’Carri brings intensity to the 100m and 4×100m relay events. LSU played a part in her collegiate sprint development, and she remains a marquee name whenever she competes. Eyes will be on her performance in heats and rounds, especially against stiff competition.

JuVaughn Harrison (USA) — High Jump & Long Jump Versatility

Harrison is a rare dual-event star: excelling both in high jump and long jump. His athleticism, adaptability, and history of big leaps past expectations make him one to watch in qualifying rounds and finals alike. LSU’s program helped shape him into a powerful force in horizontal and vertical jumps.

Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jamaica) — Middle-Distance Steadiness

Goule-Toppin brings endurance, experience, and a steady hand in the 800m. She is expected to navigate the tactical rounds and push for finals, carrying Jamaica’s hopes in the middle distances. Her LSU ties during her collegiate career laid groundwork for competitive discipline.

Vernon Norwood (USA) — Relay & 400m Strength

Vernon is well-known for his 400m flat speed and relay experience. In Tokyo he'll contribute both individually and in team relays. LSU’s sprint and relay workshops have always been strong, and Norwood’s consistency makes him a reliable figure during rounds leading up to finals.

Claudio Romero (Chile) — Rising Discus Threat

Romero carries Chile’s hopes in the discus throw. While LSU may not have been his only training ground, his time within the environment helps bring technical growth. Expect him to challenge in qualifiers and possibly shake up expected medal counts.

Jake Norris (Great Britain) — Hammer Power

A specialist in hammer throw, Norris has thrown distances that mark him as one of the world’s more dangerous field event contenders. In Tokyo, he’ll try to build on his previous international experiences. LSU’s emphasis on strength, conditioning, and technique has likely helped him develop the power needed for podium-level throws.

Thelma Davies (Liberia) — Sprinting Ambition

Davies competes in the 100m for Liberia and is part of the Tigers alumni representing smaller nations on the world stage. Her speed in heats and capacity to push into the semis/finals offers a narrative of growth. While she may face world-class competition, her LSU foundation may support composure and progression.

What to Watch and Why It Matters

Depth of competition: These LSU alumni cover a broad range of disciplines—sprints, middle distance, jumps, throws—highlighting the breadth of talent produced by LSU’s track & field program.

Medal potential vs breakthrough stories: Duplantis likely carries gold expectations. Others may be seeking personal bests, national records, or semifinal/final appearances that could position them for bigger future successes.

International representation: With athletes representing multiple countries, it underscores how LSU's training and coaching crosses borders, contributing to global athletics, not just US-centric results.

Prize stakes and pressure: With World Athletics offering significant prize money for gold across the 49 events, stakes are higher than ever. For many of these athletes, performance in Tokyo could impact sponsorships, career momentum, and national recognition.

The LSU legacy continues to be felt in Tokyo. These former Tigers are not just names on a roster—they represent generational training, institutional excellence, and individual ambition. Fans will be watching closely as they chase podiums, personal bests, and moments that stretch beyond collegiate fame.

The 2025 World Athletics Championships are set to take place in Tokyo from September 13–21, and Australians have plenty to look forward to. A record-sized Green & Gold team will be competing. Even though reigning Olympic and world pole vault champion Nina Kennedy had to withdraw because of a leg injury, young sprint sensation Gout Gout and other stars are sparking excitement. Here’s how to watch, who to watch, and what to expect from the championships.

Where & How Australia Will Be Watching

Both Channel 9 and 9Now have live, free-to-air broadcast rights, along with SBS On Demand and SBS Viceland, ensuring full access for viewers across the nation. They’ll be showing qualification rounds, heats, finals — all of it. SBS will also provide replays, mini-recaps, and Aussie-focused highlights via its World Athletics Championships hub.

The scheduling is in Australia’s favour. Tokyo is just one hour behind Sydney and Melbourne, which means evening sessions in Japan come around primetime at home. Expect morning sessions beginning around 9 am AEST and evenings from about 7 pm AEST.

Nine’s commentary lineup is stacked: Tony Jones hosts, with expert voices including Olympic pole vault gold medallist Nina Kennedy, Genevieve Gregson, David Culbert, Matt Hill and Brenton Speed — covering track and field action live from Tokyo.

Who Australia Was Hoping to See — and Who’s In

Australia is fielding its largest athletics team yet for Tokyo, with 86-88 athletes named. Among those are the rising sprinter Gout Gout, Olympic high jump silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers, discus thrower Matt Denny, and middle-distance standout Jess Hull.

But not every star can make it. Nina Kennedy, who had won Olympic gold and was the reigning world champion, ruled herself out due to a leg injury (a recently strained muscle) despite initially seeking a wildcard to defend her title.

Other notable absences include Lachlan Kennedy and Jemima Montag, both sidelined by injuries in recent weeks.

Rising Stars & Medal Hopefuls

Gout Gout has been grabbing attention with record-breaking sprints and a rapid rise through the ranks. He’s expected to be a name many will be cheering for.

Nicola Olyslagers is a serious medal contender in the high jump.

Matt Denny in the discus, Jess Hull in middle distances, and other established athletes will carry much of Australia’s medal hopes.

With Kennedy out, there’s both disappointment and opportunity — new faces will have more focus, and the weight of expectation shifts a bit. It’s a chance for younger or less known athletes to shine.

What to Keep an Eye On

Tokyo will host 49 events including sprints, field events, marathons, relays, combined events, and race walks.

Some of the standout moments to follow: the 100 m and 200 m finals, high jump and pole vault field events (especially with Kennedy’s absence), mixed relay performances, and how emerging Australian athletes handle the pressure of a global stage.

Another angle: the media and broadcast interest has grown notably. Increased journalist accreditation, better coverage in primetime at home, and deeper storytelling — athlete backgrounds, upsets, emotional moments — are all expected to feature, which amplifies the sense of occasion.

What Kennedy’s Absence Means & How Competitors Step Up

Kennedy’s withdrawal is a major change. She’s been a symbol of Australian excellence in pole vault, having cleared 4.90 m to win both Olympic and world titles.

Her injury, though frustrating, shines a light on how thin the margin can be between competition and recovery. It also opens space for other athletes to vie for medals and for rising names to take on bigger roles in the coverage and Australian hopes.

Australia’s athletics scene has momentum. With strong performances at Paris 2024 and a deep squad heading to Tokyo, there’s palpable excitement. Whether through established stars, newcomers like Gout Gout, or surprise performances, there’s much for fans to follow, root for, and talk about in the days ahead.

Tokyo will once again be the epicenter of global track-and-field magic from September 13 to 21, 2025, when the World Athletics Championships return to Japan’s capital. For Japan, with a squad of around 80 athletes, this is more than just another championship—it’s a homecoming. Alongside global superstars, several Japanese athletes are riding high hopes, aiming not just for national glory but for moments that could define their careers.

Home-Field Energy, High Stakes

This will be the first time since 1991 that Tokyo hosts the Championships, and the anticipation is electric. The National Stadium—rebuilt for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—is the stage for both veteran stars and rising talents. Japanese fans will pack the stands, hoping to be inspired. The weight of expectation sits heavily on some athletes, especially those who’ve tasted major success before, as well as newcomers who see this as their moment.

Haruka Kitaguchi: Fighting Through Injury, Aiming for Gold

Haruka Kitaguchi is Japan’s biggest name in the field events. She was the first Japanese woman to win a world title in a field event (Budapest 2023) and followed it up with Olympic gold in Paris 2024. But her path to defending that world crown hasn’t been easy. An elbow inflammation in June forced her to sit out Japan’s national championships. Back in competition, her performances haven’t matched her peak—her throw in Zurich at the Diamond League was well below her best. Still, she is pain-free now, training hard, and remains confident. Her target: not just competing in front of a home crowd, but capturing that gold again and perhaps pushing toward the elusive 70-meter mark.

Distance Running Dreams: Nozomi Tanaka’s Rising Arc

Nozomi Tanaka has quietly been building something powerful. A middle- and long-distance runner, she recently switched to a more globally-oriented training set-up, joining an international club and working overseas to sharpen her gear. In major global finals she’s seen what it takes—and so Tokyo represents more than just competing at home. She’s aiming higher. Her father, also her coach, has led her through preparation that includes training camps abroad and pacing strategies aimed at not just competing but breaking through to medal contention.

Sprint Return: Yoshihide Kiryu Eyes a Comeback

Yoshihide Kiryu, once Japan’s golden sprinter, cracked the 10-second barrier years ago and carried loads of expectations. The past few seasons have had their ups and downs—injuries, missed qualifications, less visibility. But in summer 2025, Kiryu ran 9.99 seconds in the trials, breaking through after a long drought below that benchmark. For him, Tokyo isn’t just about representing it’s about remembering what he can do. With youth pressing from behind, it’s also about proving he belongs at the top of the sprint events again.

Sorato Shimizu: Teenage Sensation with Record-Breaking Speed

At just 16, Sorato Shimizu is already turning heads. He broke the Japanese high school record and the U-18 world best in the 100 meters with a time of 10.00 seconds. That performance also placed him among Japan’s all-time fastest senior sprinters. He’s young, raw, and full of promise—and Tokyo offers him his first big global stage. Building composure and experience will matter more than raw speed alone. But with the home crowd behind him, anything feels possible.

Yuta Sakiyama: Javelin Power Poised at its Peak

In the world of Japanese javelin, Yuta Sakiyama is becoming a serious force. Earlier in 2025 he set a personal best of 87.16 meters and moved to second on Japan’s all-time list. That throw wasn’t just a number—it was a statement. He’s aiming to bring that kind of power, precision, and consistency to Tokyo, where even small improvements in technique or mental sharpness could translate into podium results. With fans watching, expectations will lean toward performance under pressure.

Heat, Support, and the Weight of History

Athletes preparing for Tokyo are mindful of more than just competition. The climate—humid and warm—will test endurance, especially in road events and race walks. Local fans will bring energy, but that also means noise and scrutiny. For many Japanese stars, medals won at home carry a special resonance: national pride, personal validation, hope of inspiring the next generation.

Looking Ahead: What Tokyo Could Mean

If Kitaguchi can throw at her best, she could defend or retake her crown. If Kiryu recaptures his sprinting form, he could shake up the men’s 100m more than many expect. Tanaka might surprise in the distance events with strategic pacing and the boost of home support. For young talents like Shimizu, just one round, one finish in a tight race could set the tone for their international careers.

Tokyo 2025 isn’t just another World Athletics Championship for Japan—it’s a chance to show what home advantage looks like, to cast new names into the spotlight, and to write chapters in the career stories of those already known.

The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo are shaping up to be more than just another track and field meet—they’re a collision of legends, rising stars, and record-breaking aspirations. From Mondo Duplantis’s towering ambitions to the “Mommy Rocket” final roar of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Tokyo promises drama, history, and inspiration.

Duplantis Keeps Raising the Bar

Pole vault phenom Armand "Mondo" Duplantis is back, and with him comes anticipation. Fresh from clearing 6.29 meters in Budapest—his thirteenth world record—Duplantis hasn’t wavered from dominance. Now he sets his sights on Tokyo, where he may attempt even loftier heights with a stiffer pole and a legacy-defining performance.

Kipyegon Eyes a Rare Double Crown

Faith Kipyegon, already an Olympic legend, is chasing something extraordinary: back-to-back 1,500m and 5,000m world titles. She made history in Budapest in 2023, and now hopes to repeat the feat in Tokyo. Fresh off her latest 1,500m record of 3:48.68, Kipyegon is poised for greatness—and possibly rewriting the record books once again.

“Mommy Rocket” Runs Her Last Lap

At 38, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce prepares for her final championship appearance. Known as the “Mommy Rocket,” she is one of the greatest female sprinters ever, with multiple Olympic and world titles. Her journey—returning to the top after motherhood and navigating logistical drama at the Paris Games—adds emotional weight to every stride she takes in Tokyo.

Debuts and National Passion: Gout Gout & Australia

All eyes are also on 17-year-old sprint sensation Gout Gout, making his senior debut in the 200m. Already an Australian record-holder, he’s fueling a wave of interest Down Under. Australia’s biggest-ever team—including high jump star Nicola Olyslagers and pole vault queen Nina Kennedy—is poised to shine efficiently on the global stage.

Tokyo Stadium: Where Memories and Momentum Meet

The Japan National Stadium—the iconic venue of the silent Tokyo Olympics—now hums with anticipation and life. Having hosted world championships before, this is the third global track and field championship in Japan. With record-chasers and fan favorites converging, Tokyo is ready to reclaim its status as an athletics epicenter.

Record Watch & What to Watch

Can Duplantis push past his own limits and reach new pole vault heights?

Will Kipyegon cement her name in history with another double gold?

How will atmospheres shift for Fraser-Pryce in her emotional farewell?

Will Gout Gout’s debut create a legacy, or spark yet another breakout streak?

Tokyo 2025 isn’t just about medals—it’s about moments that redefine sport.