by Deji Ogeyingbo
2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships: Who to Watch in Nanjing
The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships kick off on March 21 in Nanjing, China. Originally scheduled for 2020, the event is finally set to take place after multiple postponements. While some big names have opted out due to the extended indoor season and upcoming outdoor meets, the competition still promises fierce battles for medals.
With national pride and world titles on the line, Nanjing will be the stage for breakout performances, intense rivalries, and unexpected champions. Here’s a closer look at the top contenders across both the men’s and women’s events.
Men’s Preview: Sprinters, Jumpers, and Milers Collide
The men’s events promise high drama, with seasoned champions facing off against young talents eager to make a statement.
Sprints: A Wide-Open 60m
The men’s 60m is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable races of the championships. Australia’s Lachie Kennedy leads the field with his outdoor 6.43, but he has yet to prove himself on an indoor track at this level. Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu, fresh off a personal best of 6.49, is another serious contender. Meanwhile, veteran Ronnie Baker of the U.S., who has clocked 6.50 this year, looks to reclaim his spot among the fastest in the world.
With 24 men in the field under 6.60, anything can happen. One wildcard is South Africa’s Akani Simbine, the Olympic 100m fourth-place finisher, who has run 6.57 this season. His raw speed could be dangerous if he gets his start right.
In the 400m, USA’s Christopher Bailey enters as the favorite with a season-best 44.70 and an impressive national title. Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel has the second-best time going in, but his NCAA runner-up finish raises questions about whether he can handle the pressure. Hungary’s Attila Molnár and Canada’s Christopher Morales-Williams are also in the mix and capable of pulling off a surprise.
Hurdles: Grant Holloway and the Chase for Silver
If there’s one certainty in Nanjing, it’s Grant Holloway defending his world indoor 60m hurdles title. The American has dominated the event for years and remains the man to beat.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photo by Kevin R. Morris
The real battle will be for silver and bronze. Poland’s Jakub Szymański and France’s Wilhem Belocian, who took gold and silver at the European Championships, will renew their rivalry. The U.S. will have another strong presence in Cameron Murray, who has been consistent this season and could push for a podium finish.
Distance: Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s Unlikely Double
Jakob Ingebrigtsen is back for more after his European Indoor success. He’s entered in both the 1500m and 3000m, looking to add to his growing collection of global titles.
In the 1500m, his biggest challenger is Ethiopia’s Samuel Tefera, the man who beat him to gold in 2022. Beyond that, the field consists mostly of athletes who couldn’t keep up with Ingebrigtsen at the European Championships.
The 3000m entry list raised eyebrows when Ingebrigtsen, ranked 114th in the world this year, was given a spot. While it’s unclear how he qualified, few will argue that he doesn’t belong. His main competition comes from Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, Biniam Mehary, and Getnet Wale. With Great Britain’s George Mills out, the Ethiopian trio has the best chance of stopping the Norwegian.
The men’s 800m is always unpredictable indoors, but Josh Hoey of the U.S. enters as the clear favorite. His 1:45.43 is over a second faster than anyone else in the field. Brandon Miller (USA) and Samuel Chapple (NED), the surprise European champion, will be looking to upset the order.
Field Events: Can Anyone Stop Duplantis?
Mondo Duplantis in the pole vault is as close to a lock as you can get. The Swedish superstar continues to dominate, and the only real question is whether he will break another world record. His main challenger is the ever-consistent Sam Kendricks (USA), along with Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, who has regularly cleared six meters this season.
The long jump brings one of the most anticipated matchups of the championships. Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou and Italy’s teenage sensation Mattia Furlani finally go head-to-head after missing each other at Europeans. Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer, whose 8.20m jump in the heptathlon would have won the individual event at Europeans, is also in the mix.
Women’s Preview
Sprints: European Stars Face International Challenge
The women’s 60m will be a rematch of the European Indoor final, where Italy’s Zaynab Dosso took gold in 7.01. Mujinga Kambundji (SUI), Patrizia van der Weken (LUX), and Ewa Swoboda (POL) are all back and among the favorites. But the Europeans will face strong competition from the U.S. duo of Celera Barnes and Mikiah Brisco, along with Jamaica’s Jodean Williams and Natasha Morrison. With so many contenders near the 7.00-second mark, the final could come down to the smallest of margins.
In the 400m, Alexis Holmes (USA) leads the charge, with European silver medalist Henriette Jæger (NOR) and Britain’s Amber Anning looking to challenge. Anning, a former NCAA champion, is seeking redemption after a controversial disqualification at the European Championships. All three have run under 51 seconds this season, setting up a thrilling showdown.
Hurdles: Charlton vs. Kambundji in a Deep Field
The women’s 60m hurdles is one of the strongest events in Nanjing, with nine women under 7.90 this season. World record holder Devynne Charlton (BAH) and Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji—who just ran 7.67 to win European gold—lead the field. Nadine Visser (NED), who clocked 7.72 for silver at Europeans, is another serious contender. The U.S. trio of Christina Clemons, Grace Stark, and Amber Hughes add more depth, as does Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, whose 7.75 ranks her third in the world this year. Expect a blazing-fast final.
Distance: Tsegay Chases Gold, 800m Wide Open
The women’s distance races are stacked with talent. In the 800m, defending champion Tsigie Duguma (ETH) returns, but she’ll face stiff competition from U.S. champion Nia Akins. Other challengers include Shafiqua Maloney (VIN), Prudence Sekgodiso (RSA), and Habitam Alemu (ETH), all of whom have the speed to make an impact.
In the 1500m, Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) is the clear favorite. She has run nearly five seconds faster than her closest rival, compatriot Diribe Welteji. But championship racing isn’t just about times—Georgia Hunter Bell (GB) and Salomé Afonso (POR), who showed great closing speed at the European Championships, could make things interesting if the race turns tactical.
Field Events: Mahuchikh, Mitton, and a Shot Put Showdown
The women’s high jump features three of the four Olympic medalists. World record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) takes on defending indoor champion Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) and 2022 world champion Eleanor Patterson (AUS). Serbia’s rising star Angelina Topic is another name to watch.
In the shot put, defending champion Sarah Mitton (CAN) comes in with a season’s best of 20.68m. But Jessica Schilder (NED) just out-threw her at European Indoors with a massive 20.69m—the best mark in over a decade. The U.S. will be represented by Chase Jackson, who threw 20.64m outdoors last year and could be a dark horse for the title.
