World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 Ends in Style with Records, Farewells, and First-Time Winners
The final day of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo was a fitting climax to nine days of thrilling competition at the Japan National Stadium. From record-breaking performances to emotional farewells, Sunday (21) delivered a full spectrum of sporting drama.
Sprint Treble for Jefferson-Wooden, Farewell for Fraser-Pryce USA’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden etched her name in history by completing the sprint treble — winning the 100m, 200m, and anchoring the victorious 4x100m relay team. She became only the second woman to achieve this feat after Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who bowed out of her World Championships career with a silver medal in the same race.
USA Dominates Relays, Botswana Steals the Show USA claimed gold in the women’s 4x100m, men’s 4x100m, and women’s 4x400m — the latter in a championship record time of 3:16.61. However, Botswana stunned the field in the men’s 4x400m, with Collen Kebinatshipi chasing down Rai Benjamin in the final stretch to win gold in 2:57.76.
Neugebauer Triumphs in Decathlon Rollercoaster Germany’s Leo Neugebauer emerged victorious in a dramatic decathlon, scoring 8804 points after a decisive javelin throw and a strong 1500m finish. The event saw several top contenders withdraw or falter, including Damian Warner and Pierce LePage.
Odira Breaks Championship Record in 800m Upset Kenya’s Lilian Odira stunned the field in the women’s 800m, surging past Olympic and world champions to win in 1:54.62 — breaking the oldest championship record. It was the first time three women broke 1:55 in a single race.
Hocker Redeems Himself with 5000m Gold After a disqualification in the 1500m semifinals, USA’s Cole Hocker bounced back to win the 5000m in 12:58.30, outkicking a strong field that included Isaac Kimeli and Jimmy Gressier.
Olyslagers Claims High Jump Gold in the Rain Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers cleared 2.00m to win her first outdoor world title in a rain-soaked final. She edged Poland’s Maria Zodzik on countback, while Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Angelina Topic shared bronze.
Stahl Secures Third World Discus Title Sweden’s Daniel Stahl delivered a clutch final-round throw of 70.47m to win his third world discus title. The rain-delayed event ended with Samoa’s Alex Rose earning his country’s first global athletics medal.
Final Day Results:
Women’s 4x100m Relay 🥇 USA – 41.75 🥈 Jamaica – 41.79 🥉 Germany – 41.87
Men’s 4x100m Relay 🥇 USA – 37.29 WL 🥈 Canada – 37.55 🥉 Netherlands – 37.81 NR
Women’s 4x400m Relay 🥇 USA – 3:16.61 CR 🥈 Jamaica – 3:19.25 SB 🥉 Netherlands – 3:20.18 SB
Men’s 4x400m Relay 🥇 Botswana – 2:57.76 🥈 USA – 2:57.83 SB 🥉 South Africa – 2:57.83 SB
Decathlon 🥇 Leo Neugebauer (GER) – 8804 SB 🥈 Ayden Owens-Delerme (PUR) – 8784 NR 🥉 Kyle Garland (USA) – 8703
Women’s 800m 🥇 Lilian Odira (KEN) – 1:54.62 CR 🥈 Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR) – 1:54.90 PB 🥉 Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) – 1:54.91
Men’s 5000m 🥇 Cole Hocker (USA) – 12:58.30 🥈 Isaac Kimeli (BEL) – 12:58.78 SB 🥉 Jimmy Gressier (FRA) – 12:59.33
Women’s High Jump 🥇 Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) – 2.00m 🥈 Maria Zodzik (POL) – 2.00m PB 🥉 Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) – 1.97m 🥉 Angelina Topic (SRB) – 1.97m SB
Men’s Discus Throw 🥇 Daniel Stahl (SWE) – 70.47m SB 🥈 Mykolas Alekna (LTU) – 67.84m 🥉 Alex Rose (SAM) – 66.96m SB
