The Top Athletics team will be strongly represented at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan (13–21 September), with 51 athletes of 19 nationalities set to compete. Among them are reigning champions, Olympic medallists, record holders and some of the sport’s brightest young prospects.
Two years ago in Budapest, athletes from the Top Athletics team collected multiple podium finishes. At the Grand finale of the 2025 season, they now arrive to Tokyo eager to add to that success.
Champions returning to defend their crowns
Haruka Kitaguchi made history in Budapest with Japan’s first-ever world javelin gold. A year after her golden performance at the Paris Olympics, she now arrives on home soil with a determination to deliver another unforgettable performance in front of the home crowd.
Miltiadis Tentoglou returns to the place where he claimed his first major global title. The reigning Olympic and world champion has been dominating the event for the past years. Topping the world lists with 8.46m performance, known for his last-round heroics, he will be aiming for a third world championships medal.
Medallists aiming higher
Kristjan Čeh, the discus powerhouse from Slovenia, is looking to upgrade his silver from Budapest and reclaim his world champion title once again. With a season’s best of 72.36m (The best result of the year achieved outside of Oklahoma), having broken the 72m barrier thrice, he is definitely a one of the favourites for gold in the most stacked throwing event of the year.
Bence Halász is in the shape of his life. Bronze medallist from the home soil two years ago comes to Tokyo as the world leader with 83.18m. The Hungarian star is chasing the biggest victory of his career.
Jakub Vadlejch has been one of the most consistent men in the javelin for the past years. The Olympic silver and three-time world medallist is ready to challenge for the top spots after the health issues setting him back in first half of the season.
A vital part of the Canadian relay team Jerome Blake is now bearing the flag as the nation´s fastest man. While having already won the world and Olympic champion title with the 4x100m squad, Jerome is in the right position to step in as an individual contender. His sub-10 and sub-20 performaces throughout the season gave us a great preview of what we could witness in Japan.
Rising stars of 2025
Jan Štefela has enjoyed a breakthrough year in the high jump. Clearing 2.33m, he is ranked fourth in the world and now being set to build on his world indoor success.
Manolo Karalis has already established himself as one of the best pole vaulters of the history. His clearance of 6.08m places him second in the world, and his consistency has made him a serious contender in Tokyo.
Emma Zapletalová is back among the elite in the 400m hurdles. Clocking 53.18, she stands sixth on the world lists and will be looking to fight for a place in the final at her World Championships debut.
Adriana Vilagoš, the 20-year-old javelin prodigy, has already been confirming her spot among the very best. Her season’s best of 66.12m ranks her second in the world, and she heads to Tokyo full of confidence after securing her European U23 title earlier in the season.
Legends and debutants
The Top Athletics team also includes some of the sport’s most accomplished figures. Anita Włodarczyk, hammer world record holder and three-time Olympic champion, is ready to make her seventh World Championships appearance, having four golds from the past editions. Kirani James, Olympic and world champion will bring his trademark class in the 400 metres.
At the same time, a new generation is ready to step into the spotlight. Roko Farkaš, reigning U20 world long jump champion, makes his senior World Championships debut, joined by Karolína Maňasová, European U23 100m champion, and fellow newcomers Karin Strametz, Elena Kelety, Petra Sičaková, Jakub Dudycha, Márton Bondor, Liliana Bátori and Tyri Donovan.
The diversity of the team is underlined by its age range. At 40, Anita Włodarczyk is the most experienced woman, while 17-year-old Liliana Bátori represents the youngest. Among the men, Austrian Raphael Pallitsch is the oldest presence, while 20-year-old Jakub Dudycha carries the energy of the new generation.
Photo: Pavol Uhrin
