Stars of the Show: Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone
The 20th World Athletics Championships concluded in Tokyo on Sunday after nine days of competition, with the United States dominating the medal tally for the fifth consecutive edition (16 golds out of 26 total medals) and Kenya coming in second (7 golds out of 11 total medals).
Duplantis: No Limits
With his third world gold secured, Swedish athlete Armand Duplantis attempted to clear the 6.30-meter pole vault bar for the fourteenth time, aiming to break the world record. He successfully cleared the bar on his third try, leaving spectators in awe.
Duplantis rushed to the stands to embrace his fiancée, Swedish model Desiré Inglander, creating an unforgettable moment for the 60,000 attendees at the National Stadium. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe joked, “Another record for Duplantis leaves World Athletics without a Christmas party. If he breaks it twice, say goodbye to the summer party as well.”
McLaughlin-Levrone: Breaking 40-Year Barrier
After winning the Olympic gold with a world record in the 400m hurdles last year, American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set her sights on becoming the best in the 400m flat race this year.
McLaughlin-Levrone clinched the gold with a time of 47.78, just 18 hundredths away from the old world record held by German Marita Koch (47.60) since 1985.
In an impressive final, Dominican Marileidy Paulino secured silver with a time of 47.98, the third-best time in history.
Jefferson-Wooden: Triple Threat
American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden was the standout performer in terms of titles, achieving a triple crown in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay races.
She began by winning the 100m (10.61), dominated the 200m (21.68), and capped off her triumphant streak with the 4x100m relay (41.75).
The relays allowed three more US athletes to secure gold: Noah Lyles (200m, 4x100m), McLaughlin-Levrone (400m, 4x400m), and Lynna Irby-Jackson (4x400m, 4x400m mixed relay), along with Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinakatshipi (400m, 4x400m).
María Pérez: Marching to Double Gold
Spanish athlete María Pérez made history by winning gold in both the 20km and 35km race walk, just as she did two years ago at the World Championships in Budapest.
Before her, only legends like Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, and Mo Farah had achieved at least two gold medals in consecutive World Championships.
Beatrice Chebet: Kenyan Queen of the Long Distance
Kenyan Beatrice Chebet was another major winner at this championship, repeating her Olympic success in Paris 2024 by claiming gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m races.
Chebet first triumphed in the 10,000m (30:37.61) before an intense duel with her Kenyan friend and compatriot Faith Kipyegon in the 5,000m, where Chebet won with a time of 14:54.36.
Kipyegon took silver, days after securing her fourth consecutive world title in the 1,500m. Emmanuel Wanyonyi also contributed to Kenya’s seven gold medals by winning the 800m with a remarkable time of 1:46.81.
