by Larry Eder
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 was the fifth day of the World Champs. With five finals, here are my deep thoughts on this glorious day of track and field!
- Big competition in the Women’s Pole Vault. US vaulters went gold and silver in Tokyo! Katie Moon cleared 4.90m, 16’0.75″ to take the win, her third gold in the World Champs, followed by two Olympic gold. Big changes for Katie? She’s happy, living with her hubby, the crew coach at Oklahoma, and working with her coach remotely. It works for her! Sandi Morris, silver medalist, at 4.85m, has overcome injuries and setbacks and is happy to medal. “Any medal puts you in the top three in the world!” noted Sandi, but it is something Katie and Sandie both agree on! Tina Sutej, Slovania, took the bronze in 4.80m. Tina was very happy with her medal as the year has been a challenge. The pole vault beats up the body. Molly Caudery, GBR pulled out of final due to injuries that came about during three warm-up jumps!
- Crazy jumps in Men’s long jump! The quality of the event is superb. Simon Ehammer leaped 8.30m and did not medal! Yuhao Shi, CHN, has been injured for five years (adidas, his sponsor, continued to support him), and Yuhao leaped 8.33m for the bronze. Tajay Gayle, JAM, who won in 2017, leaped 8.34m for silver, as Mattia Furlani, ITA, on his fifth jump, when he was fourth, leaped 8.39m to clinch the title! Mattia Furlani becomes the youngest athlete EVER to win the long jump!
- Always surprises in the Women’s steeplechase! Peruth Chemutai, UGA, early in the race was injured, and out of the race. Most thought Winfred Yavi, Bahrain, who kept the pace fast, would win, but Faith Cherotich, KEN, went by and took a big win over the last lap running a CR of 8:51.59! Winfred Yavi, BRN, was not far behind, in silver in 8:56.46 and Semblo Almayew, ETH, was third in 8:58.66! Marwa Bouzayani, TUN, took fourth in 9:01.46, an NR and Marwa was delighted! Doris Lemngole, KEN, NCAA champion, was fifth in 9:02.39!
- Huge upsets in Men’s 1,500 meters. Sir John Walker, 1976 Montreal champion, when asked by Runners World in 1975, about who he wanted in the 1,500m final in Montreal, Sir John replied, ” senior citizens.” The pressure to win this one is huge. Josh Kerr, defending champion, was hurt around 800 meters, and finished last, in 4:11.74, grimacing in pain. We hope he recovers soon. The pack hit 59, 1:59, and was off, with 200 meters to go, 2022 Champ, Jake Wightman, who ” always races to win,” came charging off the turn, and nearly won the race. Isaac Nader, POR, how entered the race, “thinking that the race was wide open,” and sprinted from sixth to first on the final stretch, taking gold in 3:34.10. Jake Wightman ran 3:34.12 and Reynald Cheruiyot, KEN, ran 3:34.25, with Timothy Cheruiyot, KEN in fourth and Niels Laros, NED, in fifth. This race went to the racers who take chances!
