The World Athletics Championships opened in Tokyo with a night of drama, speed, and noise that set the stage for an unforgettable week. After years of longing for a true spectacle in the Japanese capital following the muted pandemic-era Olympics, fans finally unleashed their passion in a packed stadium, turning the opening session into a festival of energy and noise.
The highlight came in the women’s 10,000m, where Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet stamped her authority with a stunning surge over the final kilometre. Pushed hard by Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, Chebet dug deep, closing with a staggering 2:38 final kilometre to secure gold. The crowd, already in full voice, found another gear as home favourite Ririka Hironaka exceeded expectations with a strong sixth-place finish, further lifting the atmosphere.
The momentum carried through the evening as Ryan Crouser, battling an elbow injury, produced a huge fifth-round throw to retain his shot put crown. By the time the United States dominated the 4x400m mixed relay, it was clear the championships had burst to life in emphatic fashion.
Attention quickly turned to the sprints, where the heats promised a thrilling showdown ahead of Sunday’s finals. Jamaican star Kishane Thompson looked effortless in clocking 9.95 seconds, easing down in the final stretch and confirming his status as favourite. Reigning champion Noah Lyles matched that time, but only with greater effort, while compatriot Oblique Seville survived a dreadful start to qualify in 9.93. The women’s 100m also produced fireworks, with Olympic champion Julien Alfred gliding home in 10.93 seconds, the fastest time of the heats, barely breaking a sweat.
Yet off the track, tension simmered within the sprinting community. A pointed social media post from American sprinter Gabby Thomas reignited debate about the place of coaches with doping histories in athletics. Her remarks, aimed at figures still active in the sport, sparked division, with some praising her boldness while others questioned the timing of her comments. Regardless of opinion, the controversy added an edge to an already fiercely competitive environment.
As the championships roll on, the stage is set for an electrifying Sunday evening when both 100m finals will be contested within minutes of each other. With Thompson, Lyles, Alfred, and Richardson all in the mix, and the crowd already in raucous form, the Tokyo championships promise to deliver more moments of raw speed, emotion, and history.
