The 2025 World Athletics Championships (Japanese: 2025年世界陸上競技選手権大会) are now officially underway in Tokyo, Japan. This is the 20th time the most important track and field event has taken place. The National Stadium, which was rebuilt for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, will host the world’s greatest athletes from September 13 to 21, 2025, for 49 medal events.
This year is noteworthy since it’s the third time Japan has hosted (after Tokyo in 1991 and Osaka in 2007), and it’s also a very important period on the way to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Championships mix world-class sports with lively Japanese culture, with Japan’s own K from the boy band &TEAM as the main supporter.
A Historic Return to Tokyo
The World Athletics Championships were held in Tokyo for the first time in 1991 in the old National Stadium. Carl Lewis won the gold medal in the 100m while Mike Powell set a world record in the long jump (8.95m, still standing).
In 2007, Osaka hosted the Championships, when Tyson Gay and Carolina Klüft stood out.
2025: Now, Tokyo is once again the center of the world, this time inside the newly renovated National Stadium, which is a symbol of strength and creativity since it hosted the Olympics.
Japan has a long history of loving sports and being able to host world-class events. This is the third time they have hosted the Olympics.
Highlights from Opening Day—September 13, 2025
Fireworks on the track and road started the Championships. A few of the more notable moments were:
Evan Dunfee of Canada won the men’s 35 km race walk in 2:28:22, followed by Caio Bonfim of Brazil and Hayato Katsuki of Japan. This gave the home audience an early medal celebration.
In the women’s 35 km race walk, Spain’s María Pérez won in 2:39:01, adding another gold medal to her already impressive career.
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet won the Women’s 10,000m Final, beating Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, who set a new national record. Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia won the bronze medal.
Ryan Crouser of the USA won the men’s shot put final with a throw of 22.34m, making it his third global gold in a row. Uziel Munoz of Mexico and Leonardo Fabbri of Italy rounded out the podium.
The mixed 4×400m relay qualifiers and the 100m heats also saw great results, which will lead to exciting finals in the next few days.
Watch for Star Athletes and Rivalries
Rivalries and record-breaking attempts are what make each World Championships unique. These are the biggest stories in Tokyo 2025:
1. The Javelin Showdown
Neeraj Chopra of India, the Olympic and World champion, will meet Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, starting a historic rivalry in South Asia.
Their fight is likely to be one of the most emotional parts of the Championships.
2. Kings and Queens of the Sprint
People will be quite interested in the men’s 100m. Can fresh talents take the crown from seasoned sprinters?
Jamaica and the USA are still the favorites for the women’s side, but young athletes from Africa and Europe are making a name for themselves.
3. Dominance of Distance
Kenya and Ethiopia still dominate middle- and long-distance sports, but Japan believes its own competitors will do well in marathons and walks.
4. Superstars in Field Events
In addition to Crouser in the shot put, keep an eye out for high jumpers, pole vaulters, and discus throwers trying to set new personal and national records.
Japan's Cultural Spotlight
The Championships are not just about sports; they are also a cultural event. Japan has brought pop culture to the world arena with K from &TEAM as the official supporter. This has drawn in younger people and made athletics more popular.
At the opening ceremony, fans get to see traditional Japanese entertainment.
Japan’s current hosting style is shown by Tokyo’s lively environment, technology-driven fan zones, and eco-friendly transportation.
Anime, J-pop, and Japanese culture are all connected to sports through merchandise and fan events.
Problems that athletes have to deal with
Weather: The high humidity in Tokyo in late July will be hard on endurance competitors.
Injuries: Many athletes are at their best following the Olympics, therefore recovery and consistency are particularly important.
Pressure: For reigning champions like Crouser and Chebet, the pressure to win again can be just as strong as the competition.
Conclusion
The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo are off to a great start by combining top-level athletics with Japan’s lively culture. There are so many great moments at the Championships, from Dunfee’s win in the race walk to Chebet’s dominance in the 10,000m and the upcoming javelin throw.
Frequently Asked Questions about
Q1: Where will the World Athletics Championships be hosted in 2025?
From September 13 to 21, 2025, they will be in the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
Q2: Who is the official backer of the Championships?
The official backer is K, who is in the Japanese boy band &TEAM.
Q3: How many times has Japan held the Championships?
Tokyo 1991, Osaka 2007, and now Tokyo 2025 are the three times this has happened.
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