The World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025, held in Nanjing, China, witnessed thrilling performances and dramatic competitions as athletes showcased their skills during this prestigious event on March 22 and 23.
Australia's Nicola Olyslagers successfully defended her high jump title, clearing 1.97 meters to secure victory against her compatriot Eleanor Patterson, who claimed silver on countback with the same height. On the final morning of competition, Olyslagers stood firm despite fierce competition, with both athletes ultimately failing to clear the next bar set at 1.99 meters after a series of attempts.
Olyslagers' journey to the top of the podium involved an impressive performance that started with a perfect scorecard up to her winning height. «This is the first time I've come from a gold medal position to try and defend something outside of Australia,» she said, expressing both excitement and relief after her triumph. This marked her first competition since the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels in September 2024, where she had finished second to Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the defending Olympic champion.
Mahuchikh, who had cleared 2.10 meters last year and started the season as a frontrunner with a top clearance of 2.01 meters, faced disappointment and finished with bronze after managing a height of 1.95 meters. She expressed concerns regarding an ankle injury she sustained earlier this month, explaining, «I didn't feel any pressure, I just enjoyed the atmosphere of the track and the competition. I hope to come back stronger for the outdoor season.»
In another highlight, 23-year-old Claire Bryant of the USA made a stunning entrance into major international competition by winning the women's long jump. She excelling throughout the event, breaking her personal best with a jump of 6.96 meters on her fifth attempt. It was an extraordinary debut, crowned with the gold medal, one which Bryant was not expecting. «If someone had told me that I would walk away from Nanjing with the title, I would thank them for that vote of confidence,» she remarked. Bryant led the competition from the start, raising her game with each jump and sealing her victory impressively.
The silver medal went to Switzerland’s Annik Kalin, who managed to leap 6.83 meters in the last round, while Spain’s Fatima Diame secured bronze with a distance of 6.72 meters. Diame’s efforts were commendable in the face of fierce competition, although she could not surpass Bryant's performance.
On the track, Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen took the spotlight by winning the 1500-meter final, adding to his previously earned gold in the 3000 meters, thus becoming only the second man in history to accomplish this feat at the same World Indoor Championships — a notable record reminiscent of Haile Gebrselassie in 1999. Ingebrigtsen clocked a time of 3:38.79 to finish ahead of Britain's Neil Gourley, who claimed silver with 3:39.07, followed closely by Luke Houser of the USA taking bronze with 3:39.17.
In the pole vault competition, Armand Duplantis from Sweden preserved his reputation by winning his third successive world indoor title, clearing 6.15 meters in a challenging match against Greece's Emmanouil Karalis, who captured silver. This achievement pushed Duplantis's career total of vaults over six meters to a milestone of 102, solidifying his position as one of the greatest pole vaulters in history.
Meanwhile, in the women's 400m final, Amber Anning of Great Britain clinched the gold medal running an impressive 50.60 seconds, narrowly edging out Alexis Holmes from the US at 50.63 seconds, with Norway’s Henriette Jæger taking the bronze in 50.92 seconds. Anning described her victory as a redemption after being disqualified from the same event during the European Championships, saying, «World champion sounds nice. It's been a journey.»
Throughout the championship, the performances were marked by a mix of highs and lows, showcasing the resilience and determination of all athletes involved. As the dust settles on Nanjing, athletes like Mahuchikh and popular newcomer Bryant are already looking forward to outdoor competitions, igniting excitement for what is next in the world of track and field.
With these staggering displays of athleticism and skill, the 2025 World Indoor Championships have undoubtedly set the stage for an exhilarating outdoor season ahead, demonstrating the relentless spirit of athletes striving for greatness.
