The 2025 World Athletics Championship will serve as the global season-ending showpiece in track and field, with a number of intriguing storylines on offer. The milestone 20th edition of the event, which began as an Olympic-only competition before it was split off in 1976, takes place from 13-21 September in Tokyo.

The women’s 100m is a key battleground, with Olympic champion Julien Alfred going head-to-head with reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson. In addition, the Saint Lucian sprinter’s teammate Shericka Jackson will be looking to double up in the 200m and 400m hurdles.

Meanwhile, the men’s high jump looks set to be a gripping affair. American athletes have dominated in the event over the years, with Usain Bolt breaking four world records and Carl Lewis three. However, the last three World Athletics Championships have all been won by non-American competitors, putting the spotlight on the likes of Great Britain’s Andrew Pozzi and Germany’s Renaud Lavillenie.

In the men’s 200m, Noah Lyles is a man for the big occasion and it doesn’t come much bigger than the World Championships. The Olympic gold medallist has lost to two of his biggest rivals in the sport this year, Kenyans Kishane Thompson and Letsile Tebogo, and is also facing off a trio of Australians, including Kenny Bednarek, who edged him out at the Silesia Diamond League and Shericka Jackson. A victory in Tokyo would put him among the all-time greatest ever.