Imada Mio has officially been appointed as the TBS World Athletics ambassador for the eagerly anticipated Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, set to take place from September 13 to 21, 2025. This marks a significant event as it will be the first time the championships are held in Tokyo in 34 years, since they last took place in 1991.
The announcement, made on March 22, 2025, has created a buzz in the athletics community. Imada, a well-known actress in Japan, expressed her excitement about her new role: "34年ぶりに東京で開催される世界陸上を、皆様と一緒に盛り上げられること、大変光栄に思います！各競技の選手の魅力や、会場の熱気など皆さんにお届けできるよう精一杯努めたいと思います。よろしくお願い致します！" ("It’s an honor to be able to elevate the World Athletics Championships, held in Tokyo for the first time in 34 years, together with everyone! I will do my best to convey the charm of each sport's athletes and the atmosphere of the venue to you all. Thank you very much!").
Imada will be working alongside Hiroji Miyamoto, who serves as the special ambassador for this event. Together, they will aim to promote the championships and engage audiences ahead of the tournament. This partnership highlights TBS's long-standing relationship with the World Athletics Championships, having started broadcasting the event from the 1997 Athens Games and this will be their 15th broadcast.
The championships will be held at the prestigious National Stadium in Tokyo, the same venue that hosted the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The excitement is palpable as approximately 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries are expected to converge on Tokyo, competing for the top honors in various track and field events.
Ticket sales for this major sporting event have already exceeded 300,000. Notably, tickets for the evening sessions on Day 2 (scheduled for September 14), which will feature both the men’s and women’s 100m finals, and on Day 9 (September 21), showcasing the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay finals, are already sold out. This overwhelming demand is a testament to the electrifying atmosphere expected at the championships.
Alongside Imada and Miyamoto, various notable athlete ambassadors will also play a crucial role in promoting the event. These include Haruka Kitaguchi, who specializes in javelin throw; Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, a sprinting star; Nozomi Tanaka, a middle-distance runner; Akari Terada, who excels in the 100m hurdles; and Yuki Hashioka, known for his long jump prowess.
The Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships promises an extraordinary showcase of talent and sporting spirit, rekindling memories of the 1991 championships that captivated fans worldwide. Given the high expectations and preparations underway, the event not only aims to reinforce Japan's position as a hub for international athletics but also celebrates the unity and determination of athletes globally.
In closing, Imada Mio's enthusiasm and dedication to her new role as ambassador mirror the excitement felt by sports fans in Japan and across the globe. As the day approaches, all eyes will be on Tokyo as it gears up to host one of the most significant athletics events in recent history. Fans are encouraged to remain engaged and support the athletes as they prepare for the thrilling competitions ahead.
