With less than a month to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas has delivered a concerning update regarding her fitness levels following a nagging Achilles injury that has troubled her all season.
Despite securing her spot in the 200m after finishing third at the USA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Thomas admitted she had to dig deep to perform. She clocked 22.19 seconds, trailing behind Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Anavia Battle. The performance raised eyebrows, particularly after she unexpectedly pulled out of the 100m semi-finals. It turns out the decision was a protective measure for an injury that has kept her from training consistently.
Thomas revealed that she entered the US Championships underprepared, having missed significant training time due to the Achilles issue. “I haven’t been able to train too much,” she confessed, describing it as a tough situation. She added that heading into a major championship like the US trials while still in recovery was far from ideal.
The Achilles problem has reportedly been bothering her on and off throughout the season. At its worst, just two weeks prior to the championships, Thomas said she couldn’t even jog. This forced her to take a complete break from training, focusing instead on rehab in Los Angeles. Only a week before the championships did she return to training.
Despite the setback, Thomas remains optimistic. She believes her previous performances this season demonstrate her potential to be competitive in Tokyo. She started the year strong, winning the first leg of the Grand Slam Track series in Kingston. Although she lost narrowly to Jefferson-Wooden in Miami and finished third in Philadelphia, Thomas maintains confidence in her overall form.
Now 28, Thomas is determined to chase her first World Championship gold after securing silver in Budapest in 2023. She acknowledged the challenge of managing injury while competing at the highest level but drew inspiration from other athletes who have overcome similar obstacles to succeed.
As the countdown to Tokyo continues, Team USA and fans alike will be closely monitoring her recovery. The hope is that with continued rehab and careful preparation, Thomas will be ready to mount a serious challenge for the top spot on the podium.
