The World Athletics Championships, also known as the IAAF World Championships in Track and Field, are the most important senior international outdoor competitions for track and field athletes. They are organized by the sport’s global governing body, IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations). Until 2022, separate World Championships were held for different track and field events.
During its long history, the World Championships have seen numerous world records broken and a number of historic firsts. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt holds the record for most titles won at the event with four, while American Carl Lewis and British hurdlers Colin Jackson and Sally Gunnell have each won three. Sergey Bubka, the men’s pole vault champion, has a remarkable six world championship crowns to his name.
This edition of the World Athletics Championship took place from 13-21 September in Tokyo, Japan. Several athletes won two or more individual titles, including Noah Lyles (100m/200m double), Cordell Tinch (10000m/10000m-4x400m), and Faith Kipyegon (15000m/10000m).
The women’s marathon was a thriller. Susanna Sullivan won gold for the USA and set an impressive new personal best in her marathon debut, while Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia took silver and Julia Paternain of Uruguay claimed bronze. The men’s 3000m steeplechase was another highlight. Clayton Young of the USA, a full-time sixth-grade math teacher from Virginia, stayed close to the leaders until the final lap, when he unleashed his signature explosive finish to dethrone Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco and take the victory by just 0.2 seconds.