by Deji Ogeyingbo
Day 9 in Tokyo: Hodgkinson, Ingebrigtsen and Alekna Lead the Finals
The penultimate day of the World Championships in Tokyo offers a slate of finals that should provide both quality and intrigue. The women’s 800m, the men’s 5000m, and the men’s discus all feature athletes capable of shaping the direction of their events for years to come.
Keely Hodgkinson enters the 800 final as the favorite, even after a year disrupted by injury. The 23-year-old Briton has already added Olympic gold to her résumé in Paris, and her world-leading 1:54.74 in Silesia showed she has returned with speed to spare. That time was the ninth fastest in history and carried an authority that suggested she had lost none of her edge during her time away.
The field is hardly weak. Switzerland’s Audrey Werro has matured quickly into a consistent contender, while Australia’s Georgia Hunter Bell has been among the most reliable performers on the circuit this season. Kenya’s Lilian Odira has also looked sharp in recent outings and could spring a surprise if the race unfolds tactically. Yet it is Mary Moraa, the defending champion, who looms largest as Hodgkinson’s main rival. Moraa’s ability to change pace mid-race has unsettled opponents in the past and she thrives on championship rounds where strategy matters as much as raw times.
Still, Hodgkinson carries a poise that often elevates her in these moments. Her stride is efficient, her positioning smart, and her closing speed unmatched when she is in rhythm. With another run near her season’s best, she looks primed to claim the world title and complete the set of major golds.
The men’s 5000 meters may be the most unpredictable race of the championships. Jakob Ingebrigtsen arrives with his title to defend, but not his usual dominance. He failed to progress from the 1500 heats, a shock for an athlete who has spent years ruling middle-distance running, and only scraped through to the 5000 final as the last qualifier. The Norwegian’s talent is unquestioned, but his fitness remains uncertain.
American Grant Fisher has positioned himself as the man to beat. His world-leading time this year has confirmed what many long suspected, that he is now a genuine force at the very top of the event. He is joined by countryman Nico Young, whose rapid development has provided fresh energy to the U.S. team. Ethiopia and Eritrea bring their usual depth, with Hagos Gebrhiwet and Biniam Mehary both capable of taking gold if the race suits their strengths. France’s Jimmy Gressier, already the world champion over 10,000 meters in Tokyo, is also in the field and has the confidence of a man who knows how to win when it matters most.
Ingebrigtsen’s ability to read a race and make decisive moves has carried him through tactical affairs before. But if the pace is hard from the gun, Fisher’s strength may prove decisive. With so many men capable of running under 12:50, the race could be brutally quick. Fisher has the form and composure to thrive in that environment, and he will likely deliver the breakthrough global title that has eluded him so far.
The men’s Discus provides a different type of contest, but one no less compelling. Mykolas Alekna holds the world record at 75.56 meters, set earlier this year in Ramona, and arrives in Tokyo as the clear favorite to secure his first senior global crown. At 21, he has already thrown farther than anyone in history, yet he now seeks the championship validation that would confirm his supremacy.
Daniel Stahl, the defending champion, has shown he will not give up his throne easily. The Swede threw farthest in qualification and remains a consistent big-meet performer. Slovenia’s Kristjan Ceh and Australia’s Matthew Denny round out a quartet of throwers who know how to reach the podium. The final also features Alekna’s brother Martynas, adding a family subplot to the event as the sons of former Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna try to extend their legacy.
The discus has long been an event where experience carries weight, yet Mykolas Alekna’s record-breaking form makes him difficult to oppose. If he throws anywhere near his season’s best, the gold should be his, and a new era in the event could begin.
