The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships, a premier biennial event, commenced on March 21 in Nanjing, China, attracting some of the world’s elite track and field competitors. This year’s championship features 26 events and has drawn 176 athletes from 127 nations, making it a truly global gathering for indoor athletics.
Nanjing is hosting this competition at the newly constructed sports facility, known as Nanjing’s Cube, located in the Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park. Originally slated for 2020, the championships were postponed multiple times due to COVID-19 pandemic regulations.
Headlining the first day of competition was Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the 24-year-old Olympic champion, who is participating in the men's 1500 meters. Ingebrigtsen has made headlines not just for his athletic prowess but also for his ambition of creating a lasting legacy in the sport. He looks to add to his impressive collection of medals, including two Olympic golds, but notably, he seeks his first gold at the World Indoor Championships.
During the heats, Ingebrigtsen demonstrated his racing strategy, waiting patiently in the back before surging ahead over the final 200 meters to take first in his heat with a time of 3:39.80, qualifying him for the finals. Commentators noted his ease in transitioning from sixth to first, showcasing that he is still a force to be reckoned with in indoor events.
Great Britain’s Neil Gourley also shone in the men’s 1500 meters, finishing first in his heat with a time of 3:36.60. Gourley, who is the captain of the GB and Northern Ireland team, shared his optimism, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead, saying, “I hope I can bring a supportive atmosphere to the team. I think being a smaller team we are all invested in what each other is doing at these championships.”
The women’s events also featured standout performances. Georgia Hunter Bell, who has been a bright prospect for Great Britain, advanced to the women’s 1500 meters final after winning her heat with a stunning time of 4:09.21. Reflecting on her experience, Bell said, “Heats can always be a bit nervy, there's no room for error, so I'm happy to just get the job done.” Her journey through the heats has boosted the British team's medal hopes.
Meanwhile, Ireland's Kate O'Connor is poised to end Ireland's 19-year wait for a World Indoor medal, ranking third in the women’s pentathlon, sitting at 3,838 points before her final event, the 800 meters. O'Connor's current standing puts her just three points behind USA's Taliyah Brooks and 94 behind Finland’s Saga Vanninen, who leads the event. O'Connor expressed her determination to try for a medal, particularly as her 800m personal best is 1.8 seconds faster than Brooks, thereby potentially positioning her for silver.
O'Connor's journey in previous events has been impressive: she set a personal best of 8.30 seconds in the 60m hurdles, followed by strong performances in high jump and shot put. Her last event will take place at 1:15 PM Irish time as she aims for a historic finish for Ireland.
The championships provide a platform for established stars and emerging names alike. Jeremiah Azu, another British athlete, is looking to replicate his European gold in the men’s 60m finals, scheduled later today. In the 800 meters, Josh Hoey enters the event as the top seed following a remarkable indoor season.
Across these initial races, athletes showcased their readiness for this global competition, which also marks a significant return to international events after the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
This year’s championships are a testament to the resilience and spirit of athletes from around the world as they compete in the pursuit of excellence. The event runs through March 23, culminating in a grand finals day that promises to deliver thrilling competition and showcase the finest talents in indoor athletics.
