The World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo delivered a whirlwind of excitement on its second day, as a packed Olympic Stadium bore witness to a series of breathtaking performances and historic firsts. With the city basking in late-summer warmth, 57,528 fans filled the stands, their cheers echoing through the heart of Japan’s capital as the world’s finest athletes competed for glory. The spotlight shone brightest on those who etched their names into the record books, while the day’s drama unfolded across sprints, distance races, field events, and the marathon.
In the marquee women’s 100m final, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States seized her moment in spectacular fashion. The Olympic bronze medallist exploded out of the blocks and never looked back, crossing the line in a staggering 10.61 seconds—a new championship record. That time didn’t just secure her a gold medal; it matched the fastest time ever run at a global championships, tying Elaine Thompson-Herah’s Olympic record set in the very same stadium during the 2021 Tokyo Games. Jefferson-Wooden’s dominance was underscored by her 0.15-second margin over the silver medallist, Jamaica’s Tina Clayton, who clocked a personal best of 10.76 seconds. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia rounded out the podium with a bronze, finishing in 10.84 seconds.
“I knew I had to bring my best tonight,” Jefferson-Wooden said after her race, a broad smile on her face as she looked up at the scoreboard. “To run that fast, in this stadium, with this crowd—it’s a dream come true.” According to official results, her 0.15-second victory marked the second-biggest winning margin in World Championships history for the women’s 100m, making her triumph all the more remarkable.
On the men’s side, Jamaica’s Oblique Seville delivered a performance that lived up to his growing reputation. In a race brimming with anticipation, Seville surged ahead of the field, clocking a personal best of 9.77 seconds to claim gold. His compatriot Kishane Thompson took silver in 9.82 seconds, while the United States’ Noah Lyles, the defending champion, settled for bronze with a time of 9.89 seconds. The event wasn’t without controversy; Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo was disqualified for a false start, removing one of the favorites from contention and adding an extra layer of drama to an already electric final.
Seville, beaming with pride, told reporters, “It’s been a long road, but tonight everything came together. To win gold for Jamaica, and to do it with Kishane right there, is something I’ll never forget.” The Jamaican 1-2 finish further cemented the nation’s sprinting legacy on the world stage, as fans waved flags and celebrated another chapter in their storied history.
The morning session saw a dramatic duel in the women’s marathon, as Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir and Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa battled stride for stride through the streets of Tokyo. The two elite marathoners were locked together for the final kilometers, pushing each other to the limit. As they entered the stadium, it was anyone’s race, but Jepchirchir found an extra gear with just 100 meters remaining. She surged ahead to win in 2:24:43, narrowly edging Assefa, who finished in 2:24:45. The finish was a heart-stopper, reminiscent of Jepchirchir’s Olympic gold in Japan four years prior. “To win again in Tokyo means everything to me,” Jepchirchir said, her voice tinged with emotion. “It’s a special place.”
History was also made behind them, as Julia Paternain of Uruguay came through for bronze in 2:27:23, earning her country its first ever medal at a senior global athletics championship. The moment was met with jubilation from the Uruguayan contingent, a testament to the global reach and inclusivity of the sport.
In the field events, Valarie Allman of the United States finally captured the world title that had eluded her, winning the women’s discus with a throw of 69.48 meters. Allman, already a two-time Olympic champion, took an early lead with 67.63 meters before sealing victory with her fifth-round effort. Jorinde van Klinken of the Netherlands took silver with 67.50 meters, while Cuba’s Silinda Morales secured bronze with 67.25 meters. “It’s been a long wait for this world title,” Allman admitted. “I’m just so proud to finally put it all together on this stage.”
Meanwhile, Tara Davis-Woodhall, another American, soared to her first outdoor world title in the women’s long jump. Davis-Woodhall led from the opening round, recording 7.08 meters, but it was her leap of 7.13 meters that clinched gold. Germany’s Malaika Mihambo, a two-time world champion, pushed Davis-Woodhall with a best of 6.99 meters, while Colombia’s Natalia Linares took bronze, equaling her personal best at 6.92 meters.
On the track, Jimmy Gressier of France stunned the field in the men’s 10,000m, surging from the pack in the final meters to overtake Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and win in 28:55.77. Kejelcha, who led with just 100 meters to go, was forced to settle for silver in 28:55.83. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren claimed bronze in 28:56.02. Gressier’s victory was one of the biggest surprises of the championships so far and a testament to the unpredictable nature of long-distance racing.
The day’s qualifying rounds were not without their own stories. In the men’s 1500m, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Olympic champion and one of the sport’s brightest stars, failed to advance past the first round, finishing eighth in his heat. His exit was a shock to many, as injuries had hampered his season, and the field remains wide open for new contenders. In the men’s and women’s 400m, the competition was fierce, with 10 men breaking 44.50 seconds and seven women dipping under 50.00. US champion Jacory Patterson led the men’s qualifiers with 43.90 seconds, while Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain posted the fastest time among the women at 49.13 seconds. The women’s hammer throw qualifying saw world and Olympic champion Camryn Rogers of Canada lead with 77.52 meters, while defending world champion Brooke Andersen failed to register a valid throw, a surprising turn for the American star.
High jump qualifying also brought its share of drama, as Olympic champion Hamish Kerr advanced to the final, but defending world champion Gianmarco Tamberi and Olympic silver medallist Shelby McEwen were eliminated. Every event seemed to carry its own narrative, with favorites falling and new heroes emerging.
As the sun set over Tokyo, Day 2 of the World Athletics Championships 2025 concluded with unforgettable moments and new champions crowned. With a schedule packed with more finals and surprises yet to come, the world’s attention remains fixed on Japan, where the spirit of competition and the pursuit of greatness continue to inspire fans and athletes alike.
