by Larry Eder
Here are my six deep thoughts on the six finals from Day 2, September 14, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan:
- The women’s marathon was a brutal race. The hills, humidity and heat were one thing, but some very smart running by some surprising athletes. On paper, Tigist Assefa, Ethiopia, former World record holder, broke Peres Jepchirchir’s women’s only women’s marathon record at London 2025. In Tokyo, Assefa and Jepchirchir came onto the track together, and it sure looked like Tigist Assefa, five mintues faster than Peres Jepchirchi, would win. Problem was, no one told Peres and she won in the 100 meters in 2:24.43 to 2:24:45. In third, with the first medal for Uruguay, was Julia Patentain. Julia is a grad of the University of Arkansas, and she ran a very thoughtful race, thinking at finish she was fifth. Julia ran 2:27.23. ! In fourth place, Susanna Sullivan, US, who had lead past halfway in 2:26 pace, finished 4th in 2:28.17.
- Valarie Allman finally won her discus WC title! Valarie Allman let no one even come near her, with a fine 69.48m throw. In silver, Jorinde Van Klinken, NED, threw 67.50m for a Seasonal Best and thew with much confidence. Silinda Morales, Cuba, threw 67.25m PB for the bronze. Superstar Sandra Elkasevic, CRO (formerly Perkovic), was fifth in 65.82. 2023 World Champion Laulauga Tausaga, USA, was sixth in 65.49m. 2022 World Champion Bin Feng was seventh in 65.28m. Valarie Allman had all of the challengers in the past behind her in this fine competition!
- Tara Davis-Woodhall sure knows how to win a long jump. One the first attempt, Tara Davis-Woodhall, US leaped 7.08m, and put the win away. Malaika Mihambo, GER, started at 6.61m, and built up to 6.99m, but it was not enough for the win. Malaika took the silver. In third, Natalia Linares, COL< was third in 6.92m. Tara Davis Woodhall has now won her gold medal in the World Champs!
- The 10,000m 1is a lap of 25 circuits of the 400 meter track. It is a moving chess game. It is also an opportunity to run a dumb race for 25 laps, which is what most of the worlds’ finest runners did in Tokyo on September 14. The halfway was reached in 15:00, after a 5:10 for the first 1,600 meters. The pace over the last 5,000m was 13:55 with most of the field together with one lap to go. It was not until the last 100 meters that all was determined as France’s Jimmy Gressier just sprinted away from everyone winning in 28:55.77. Yomif Kejelcha, who has run world records at one mile indoors and half marathon, was silver for Ethiopia in 28:5583, and Andreas Almgren, SWE, who has been outkicked numberous times, took bronze here in 28:56.02. Monsieur Gressier ran just about 54.11 for the final 400 meters!
- Melissa wins the 100 meters! Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, continued her winning ways, running 10.61 CR for the gold. Tina Clayton, JAM, ran 10.76 PB for the silver and Olympic champion Julien Alfed took the bronze in 10.84. Shericka Jackson, JAM, was 4th in 10.88. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is peerless at this time!
- Oblique Seville, JAM caught Kishane Thompson, around half way through the 100 meters, and took the gold in a PB of 9.77. Kishane Thompson, JAM, took the silver, ran 9.82 and Noah Lyles, US, took bronze in 9.89. Oblique has had injury issues, and he has stayed healthy, and that built his confidence. Kishane Thompson ran well, but was collared by Seville. Lyles was grateful for the medal and told us that he would be looking forward to the 200 meters.
