by Deji Ogeyingbo
Duplantis, Rogers, and El Bakkali Headline Day Three in Tokyo
Day three evening of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will see four finals take center stage.
The men’s marathon offers a chance for repeat performances from the athletes who claimed the podium at the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year. Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele leads the field with a personal best of 2:03:23, recorded when he won his first major marathon in March. At 23, Takele is the fastest entrant in Tokyo and arrives with both youth and experience, having finished seventh and third in Berlin previously. His compatriot Deresa Geleta, who clocked 2:03:51, rounds out Ethiopia’s leading pair. Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich is next on the entry list, having finished third at the same Tokyo Marathon in 2:04:00.
Ethiopia and Kenya have historically dominated major marathons, and they are expected to lead the charge in Tokyo. The third Ethiopian entrant, Tesfaye Deriba, brings a 2:04:13 victory from the Barcelona Marathon, while Kenya fields Eric Sang with a season-best 2:04:30 and Kennedy Kimutai at 2:05:27. Uganda’s Vincent Kiplangat, the defending world champion from Budapest, will aim to defend his title. With a personal best of 2:05:09 and a history of winning under pressure, Kiplangat will be a strong presence in the final miles.
Prediction: Tadese Takele claims gold, Deresa Geleta takes silver, and Kiplangat secures bronze.
On the track, the men’s 3000m steeplechase final will feature a star-studded lineup. Two-time defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali advanced with ease through the heats. World record-holder Lamecha Girma and New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish both recovered from falls to progress, while Japan’s Ryuji Miura will compete in front of the home crowd. Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Rooks failed to advance, leaving the way clear for a tight contest.
Prediction: El Bakkali continues his dominance with gold, Girma takes silver, and Beamish earns bronze.
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July15-26, 2022
steeplechase, men, photo by Kevin Morris
In the women’s hammer throw, Canada’s Camryn Rogers led qualifying with a throw of 77.52 meters, showing the form that helped her claim the world title previously. Finland’s Silja Kosonen (75.88m) and the U.S.’s DeAnna Price (74.99m) will challenge her in the final. Jie Zhao of China also posted a strong qualifying mark at 74.24m.
Prediction: Rogers takes gold, Kosonen silver, and Price bronze, highlighting the depth and consistency of these athletes in the event.
The men’s pole vault will feature one of the most technically brilliant fields of the championships. World record-holder Mondo Duplantis has been unbeaten for the past two years across 35 competitions and has set three world records in 2025 alone. He will face fellow global medallists Emmanouil Karalis, Kurtis Marschall, and Sam Kendricks. Duplantis’s combination of precision and consistency makes him the clear favorite, though his competitors are capable of producing moments of brilliance.
Prediction: Duplantis wins gold, Kendricks silver, and Marschall bronze.
Finally, the evening will host the women’s 100m hurdles final following the semifinals. The field promises explosive speed and technical mastery over the barriers, with athletes aiming for tight margins and fast times under Tokyo’s evening lights. Prediction: The fastest hurdler in the semis maintains form to take gold, with the runner-up close behind for silver, and a photo-finish for bronze likely.
Day three offers a mix of tactical endurance in the marathon, technical skill in the field, and raw speed on the track. Tadese Takele looks poised to continue Ethiopia’s tradition in the marathon, while Camryn Rogers and Mondo Duplantis highlight field events with their exceptional marks. El Bakkali in the steeplechase and the women’s hurdles finalists will provide sharp, fast-paced action in the stadium. By the end of the day, fans will have seen a wide range of athletic excellence, with new champions emerging and familiar names solidifying their legacies.
