As the World Athletics Championships return to Tokyo, anticipation is building around some of the sport’s biggest stars. Kenyan middle-distance legend Faith Kipyegon is aiming to make history by securing her fourth world title in the women’s 1500 metres , a feat that would place her alongside Moroccan great Hicham El Guerrouj for the most world titles at that distance.
Kipyegon has had a light competition schedule this year but remains the overwhelming favourite. Her dominance , has made her one of the most consistent performers in the sport. In Tokyo, she’ll be chasing not only gold but also legacy.
Across the field, American sprinter Noah Lyles leads a strong U.S. contingent. Fresh off a victory over Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, Lyles is bringing confidence and momentum into the championships. “I’ve got a lot of energy coming into this,” he said recently, “and I will use that to my advantage.” Lyles will be a key figure in the men’s 100m and 200m, where competition is heating up. Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson has posted the world’s fastest time this year in the 100m, clocking 9.75 seconds, and could prove to be Lyles’ toughest rival on the track.
On the women’s side, American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is shifting focus from her signature 400m hurdles to the 400m flat race. The Olympic and world record holder is experimenting with her range, while Dutch star Femke Bol continues to dominate the 400m hurdles, coming into Tokyo with an unbeaten record this season and multiple sub-52 second performances.
The men’s 400m hurdles promises another dramatic showdown as Norway’s Karsten Warholm ,the reigning world and Olympic champion , prepares to defend his title. Warholm has looked sharp this year, including a 46.28-second run in Silesia. He’ll face a familiar challenge from American Rai Benjamin and Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, both of whom have medaled at major championships in recent years.
Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi is also expected to be a major contender in the men’s 800m, a race shaping up to be one of the most competitive of the championships. Over a dozen athletes have gone under 1:43 this season, including defending world champion Marco Arop of Canada. The depth of talent raises the possibility of a very fast final.
Despite the excitement, the championships will miss some notable names. Olympic 200m gold medalist Gabby Thomas and Australia’s pole vault champion Nina Kennedy have both withdrawn due to injuries. Additionally, Dutch distance runner Sifan Hassan has opted to skip the competition to focus on her marathon season. Uganda’s long-distance duo ,Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei , will also be absent.
Historically, the United States has dominated the World Championships, topping the medal standings in 15 of the 19 editions held so far. This year, with athletes like Lyles, McLaughlin-Levrone, and rising stars across several disciplines, they are once again strong favourites.
With nine days of competition ahead, Tokyo is set to host some of the most compelling battles in athletics , from explosive sprints to tactical middle-distance races and high-stakes hurdles. For athletes like Kipyegon and Lyles, the championships offer more than just medals; they’re a stage to cement their place in the history of the sport.
Image courtesy of BBC SPORT,AFRICA
