The highly anticipated 20th edition of the Indoor World Athletics Championships is set to take place in Nanjing, China, from March 21 to March 23, 2025. With 576 athletes from 127 countries participating, the event promises to showcase some of the best talents in track and field.
Among the competitors, Italy's Andy Diaz is a notable contender in the men's triple jump. Diaz, the national record holder, comes in with the best seasonal performance this year—an impressive jump of 17.71 meters that earned him the title at the European Indoor Championships. As one of the favorites for gold, he will face stiff competition from established athletes such as Germany's Max Hess, the Chinese star Zhu Yaming, and Cuba's Lazaro Martinez, who previously clinched the world indoor gold in 2022. The event will be broadcast live on Rai Sport and streamed on Rai Play, making it accessible to a wide audience eager to watch the competitions unfold.
The men's triple jump final, featuring Diaz and others, is scheduled for March 21 at 4:05 AM (Italian time), marking the beginning of an exciting first day for the Italian team, which hopes to improve on last year’s performance in Glasgow, where they finished 16th in the medal standings. This year, Italy aims to win at least five medals and has put significant hopes on Diaz, who is not only the reigning European indoor champion but also holds an Olympic bronze medal from Paris 2024, a testament to his elite status in the sport.
Diaz's performance will be critical, especially since his teammate Andrea Dallavalle has had to withdraw due to a foot injury, leaving Diaz to lead the charge for the Italian contingent. The competition is particularly fierce, with veteran athletes like Will Claye from the United States, a two-time indoor world champion, also set to compete alongside rising stars such as Burkina Faso’s Hugues Fabrice Zango, who, despite being the reigning world champion, has struggled to find form in 2025.
The opening day will also feature a variety of events, including the 60-meter hurdles in the pentathlon. Among the competitors, Finland’s Saga Vanninen stands out as a strong candidate for success, having achieved remarkable performances recently. The women's pentathlon will showcase athletes like Ireland's Kate O’Connor and Poland's Paulina Ligarska, both seeking to make a mark in this championship.
The day will progress with the heats of the 400 meters, featuring several prominent athletes including Jamaica's Rusheen McDonald, bronze medalist from Glasgow, and the rising star from Nigeria, Ezekiel Nathaniel, who seeks to bring home Nigeria's first title since Sunday Bada's victory in 1997.
Further events include the men’s and women’s high jump, long jump, and the final of the men’s triple jump, among others. Each event offers unique storylines and potential head-to-head matchups that promise excitement for fans around the world.
On the following days, the championships will be packed with more thrilling displays, featuring various categories across sprinting, middle-distance races, hurdles, jumps, and throws—all vying for the prestigious medals. The Italian team, consisting of 11 men and 9 women, expresses strong hopes to improve upon their previous records. Alongside Diaz, attention will also rise on athletes like Zaynab Dosso and Mattia Furlani, who have emerged as contenders in their respective events—Dosso leading the charge in the 60 meters and Furlani showing great potential in longer distances.
With the Indoor World Championships being broadcast on Rai channels, viewers can enjoy the events live, ensuring that fans can cheer for their homegrown talents as they compete on the world stage.
As the championships unfold, all eyes will be on Andy Diaz as he embarks on his quest for gold, aiming to solidify his place among the greats in indoor athletics.
