2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships: Who to Watch in Nanjing
The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships kick off on March 21 in Nanjing, China. Originally scheduled for 2020, the event is finally set to take place after multiple postponements. While some big names have opted out due to the extended indoor season and upcoming outdoor meets, the competition still promises fierce battles for medals.
With national pride and world titles on the line, Nanjing will be the stage for breakout performances, intense rivalries, and unexpected champions. Here’s a closer look at the top contenders across both the men’s and women’s events.
Men’s Preview: Sprinters, Jumpers, and Milers Collide
The men’s events promise high drama, with seasoned champions facing off against young talents eager to make a statement.
Sprints: A Wide-Open 60m
The men’s 60m is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable races of the championships. Australia’s Lachie Kennedy leads the field with his outdoor 6.43, but he has yet to prove himself on an indoor track at this level. Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu, fresh off a personal best of 6.49, is another serious contender. Meanwhile, veteran Ronnie Baker of the U.S., who has clocked 6.50 this year, looks to reclaim his spot among the fastest in the world.
With 24 men in the field under 6.60, anything can happen. One wildcard is South Africa’s Akani Simbine, the Olympic 100m fourth-place finisher, who has run 6.57 this season. His raw speed could be dangerous if he gets his start right.
In the 400m, USA’s Christopher Bailey enters as the favorite with a season-best 44.70 and an impressive national title. Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel has the second-best time going in, but his NCAA runner-up finish raises questions about whether he can handle the pressure. Hungary’s Attila Molnár and Canada’s Christopher Morales-Williams are also in the mix and capable of pulling off a surprise.
Hurdles: Grant Holloway and the Chase for Silver
If there’s one certainty in Nanjing, it’s Grant Holloway defending his world indoor 60m hurdles title. The American has dominated the event for years and remains the man to beat.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photo by Kevin R. Morris
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