- The prestigious 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 is set to kick off on September 13 and run through to Sunday, September 21.
- The event will be staged at the Japan National Stadium.
- Multiple Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon will headline a strong Kenyan contingent of 58 athletes competing at the event.
The stage is set for the prestigious 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, which kicks off this weekend in Japan. The event promises a spectacular showcase of world-record contenders, reigning titleholders, and emerging talents, marking the thrilling conclusion of the athletics season.
There are 49 events on the programme for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, meaning 147 medals will be awarded across the nine days of intense competition.
Multiple Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon will headline a strong Kenyan contingent of 58 athletes competing at the Japan National Stadium.
Kipyegon (1500m & 5000m) and Mary Moraa (800m) return to defend their 2023 titles. They are joined by reigning Olympic champions: Emmanuel Wanyonyi, and Beatrice Chebett.
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The men’s 4x100m team will also make a return to the championships for the first time since their debut appearance in 1983.
Kenya will be competing across a wide range of events, including the 100m (men), 4x100m (men), 4x400m (men), 4x400m mixed relay, 400m (women), 400m hurdles (men), 800m (men and women), 1500m (men and women), 3000m SC (men and women), 5000m (men and women), 10,000m (men and women), marathon (men and women), and javelin (men and women).
When, time zones &venue for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025
The World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 is scheduled to Kick off on Saturday, September 13 and will run for nine days, concluding on Sunday, September 21 at the Japan National Stadium.
All times are in Japanese Standard Time (JST), which is 9 hours ahead of UTC/GMT and 13 hours ahead of North American Eastern Time.
For viewers in East Africa, Kenya is 6 hours behind JST.
For instance, the first event, the men’s and women’s 35km race walk final, is set to begin at 07:30 JST, which translates to 01:30 AM EAT.
Please note that times are subject to change.
Who are the Kenyans representing the nation in Tokyo 2025?
Sprinters
- Men’s 100m: Ferdinand Omanyala.
- Women’s 400m: Mercy Adongo Oketch.
- Men’s 400m: George Mutinda, Brian Onyari Tinega, Kevin Kipkorir.
- 400m Hurdles: Wiseman Were Mukhobe.
Middle-Distance
- Women’s 800m: Mary Moraa, Lilian Odira, Vivian Chebet Kiproitch, Sarah Moraa.
- Men’s 800m: Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Nicholas Kiplangat Kebenei, Kelvin Kimtai Loti.
- Women’s 1500m: Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, Susan Lokayo Ejore, Dorcas Ewol.
- Men’s 1500m: Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, Reynold Cherulyot, Timothy Cheruyot.
Long-Distance & Steeplechase
- Women’s 3000m SC: Faith Cherotich, Doris Leningole Cherop, Pamela Kosgei.
- Men’s 3000m SC: Edmund Serem, Simon Kiprop Koech, Abraham.
- Women’s 5000m: Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Margaret Akidor.
- Men’s 5000m: Nicholas Kipkorir.
- Women’s 10,000m: Beatrice Chebet, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Janeth Chepngetich.
- Men’s 10,000m: Edwin Kurgat, Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui, Benson Kiplangat.
Marathon
- Women’s Team: Peres Jepchirchir, Jackline Cherono, Magdaline Masai Yeko. (Reserve: Vivian Jepkemei Cheruiyot)
- Men’s Team: Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, Erick Kiplagat Sang, Kennedy Kimutai. (Reserve: Hillary Kipkoech)
Field and Relays
- Javelin: Julius Yego.
- Men’s 4x100m Relay: Ferdinand Omanyala, Steve Onyango Odhiambo, Meshack Kitsubuli Babu, Mark Otieno Odhiambo, Dennis Mwai, Clinton Aluvi Owatinya, Isaac Kundu Omurwa.
- 4x400m Teams: Allan Kipyego, Boniface Ontuga Mweresa, Zablon Ekhal Ekwam, Dennis Masika Mulongo, David Sanayek Kapirante, Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui.
- Mixed 4x400m Team: The aforementioned athletes, plus Mercy Chebet, Lanoline Aoko, and Esther Mbagari.
Track and field stars to watch at World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
These World Athletics Championships will mark the end of an era, as the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce retires from the sport.
Elsewhere, all eyes are on Noah Lyles. The reigning men’s 100m and 200m champion began his season late due to injuries and has yet to win a 100m final this year.
However, the USA star has shone over his favoured 200m distance, including a victory at the Diamond League Final.
The women’s 400m is highly anticipated, as world record hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has focussed all her attention on the flat race this season.
She holds the third-fastest time this year (48.90), behind Olympic silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser (48.67) and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino (48.81).
The event will also feature a host of reigning champions and world record holders aiming to further cement their legacies, including Mondo Duplantis, Femke Bol, Neeraj Chopra, Faith Kipyegon, and Yulimar Rojas.
How to watch the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025
All 14 sessions will be broadcast live through World Athletics’ official media partners.
In the United States, coverage will be on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Canadian viewers can tune into CBC Sports/Radio-Canada.
ALSO READ: “I will heed the call” Hellen Obiri talks 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships
In the UK, the events will be shown on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and TNT Sports. In Australia, coverage will be available via SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Across Europe, Warner Bros. Discovery holds rights alongside local broadcasters, with events also available in 45 markets on Eurosport, TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), HBO Max, and discovery+.
In Jamaica, fans can watch on Television Jamaica, TVJ Sports Network, and 1spotmedia.
What’s at stake at World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025?
A total prize money pot of US$8,498,000 is available for individual athletes and relay teams.
Individual Events Prize Money
- 1st: US$70,000
- 2nd: US$35,000
- 3rd: US$22,000
- 4th: US$16,000
- 5th: US$11,000
- 6th: US$7,000
- 7th: US$6,000
- 8th: US$5,000
Relay Teams Prize Money
- 1st: US$80,000
- 2nd: US$40,000
- 3rd: US$20,000
- 4th: US$16,000
- 5th: US$12,000
- 6th: US$8,000
- 7th: US$6,000
- 8th: US$4,000
An additional world record bonus of US$100,000 is also available.
World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 Day 1 Schedule — Saturday, 13 September 2025
(All times in JST / EAT)
Click here to view the full Tokyo 2025 schedule
Morning Session
- 07:30 / 01:30 – Men’s 35km Race Walk Final
- 07:30 / 01:30 – Women’s 35km Race Walk Final
- 09:00 / 03:00 – Women’s Discus Throw Qualification Group A
- 10:55 / 04:55 – Men’s Shot Put Qualification
- 10:55 / 04:55 – Women’s Discus Throw Qualification Group B
- 11:23 / 05:23 – Men’s 100m Preliminary Round
- 11:55 / 05:55 – Mixed 4x400m Relay Heats
Evening Session
- 18:05 / 12:05 – Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Heats
- 18:30 / 12:30 – Women’s Long Jump Qualification
- 18:55 / 12:55 – Women’s 100m Heats
- 19:05 / 13:05 – Men’s Pole Vault Qualification
- 19:50 / 13:50 – Women’s 1500m Heats
- 20:35 / 14:35 – Men’s 100m Heats
- 21:10 / 15:10 – Men’s Shot Put Final
- 21:30 / 15:30 – Women’s 10,000m Final
- 22:20 / 16:20 – Mixed 4x400m Relay Final