Spanish race walker Maria Perez completed another golden double at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, repeating the 20km and 35km race walk victories she achieved at the World Championships in Budapest two years ago.
The now four-time world gold medallist, who remained undefeated in 2025, reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future.
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<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
</blockquote>
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<h2>On winning the out of stadium athlete of the year award at the World Athletics Awards 2025:</h2>
&ldquo;A huge thank you to World Athletics and everyone who voted for this award. Winning four consecutive gold medals at the World Championships is no easy feat, so I also want to thank my team here today, especially my coach, because without them, none of this would be possible.
&ldquo;It's not just my award, but it belongs to the entire Spanish athletics community, and especially to race walking, which deserved recognition.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6937126c400620ec7543cd28.jpg" alt="Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025" />
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Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025 (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Chiara Montesano)
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<h2>On her development since 2021, when she finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics:</h2>
&ldquo;One thing that has helped me a lot, and that you all saw in Tokyo (World Championships), is that I have my idol, my rival and my friend (Italy&rsquo;s world 35km race walk silver medallist Antonella Palmisano, who won Olympic 20km race walk gold in Tokyo in 2021). One of the best things has been to keep going, working behind the scenes, so that you all can see the results &ndash; then to be able to share them with an idol, a rival, and now a friend like Antonella Palmisano. It's fundamental that one of the values of sport is camaraderie, and you don't have to be from the same country to have that camaraderie, right?&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Maria in 2021, when she was fourth (in the Olympic 20km race walk), is the same, the only thing is that she has matured athletically. Of course, I envision a podium without me (in future) &ndash; not because it is something that I wish for but because that would mean that race walk is progressing and the level is getting higher and higher.&rdquo;
<h2>On what she will cherish the most from the 2025 season:</h2>
&ldquo;It's difficult to choose. Obviously, both the 20km and the 35km will remain very close to my heart. The 35km was very hard for me. In the 35km, I had to think and save some of my legs for the upcoming event, but what I will remember is being able to share that moment with a great rival, and great friend at the same time, Antonella Palmisano.&rdquo;
<h2>On the changes to race walking distances in senior World Athletics Series events from 2026 (20km to half marathon and 35km to marathon):</h2>
&ldquo;The half marathon and marathon distances are what us race walkers would like to have because the marathon is closer to the 50km and a half marathon is closer to the 20km, so they are for different types of athletes.
&ldquo;My aim when I doubled in both Tokyo and Budapest was to prove that a 20km athlete can actually contest a 35km, it's not that complicated to do both distances, because the speed and the tempo is very similar. I want race walking and the marathon to have the respect that they deserve as the oldest events in the athletics calendar.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When I double, it's not because I want to win two medals. It's because I want to prove to the world that it doesn't make sense to have the 20km and the 35km and I want to give my race walking competitors a chance to have a distance that is fit for them.&rdquo;
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<h2>On the distance she feels she might be most competitive at:</h2>
&ldquo;I could be competitive in both, because they have done studies that have shown that physically, I can do both, and even potentially be a little bit more successful in the marathon. However, I am going to focus on the half marathon, because it is the Olympic event &ndash; I want to be competitive in LA (in 2028) and it is going to be my last Olympic cycle because after LA I would like to become a mother.&rdquo;
<h2>On whether she is targeting the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm not sure yet. I've only just started training again, so we'll see. If I'm ready, I'll go, if I'm not ready, I won&rsquo;t. But I really want to thank the Spanish society for supporting me. I want to thank all of you, Spanish journalists, who have shared all the information about the World Championships and the successes of the Spanish team and myself. Right now, I want to give back &ndash; I want to do all the media events, I want to do all the events that I am asked to attend, to give something back to all the people that have supported me and shared all my successes.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My main target for next year is the European Championships in Birmingham. Antonella Palmisano is going to defend her title, so we'll see. In December, we're going to start training together. She's going to train in Italy, I'm going to train in Spain, but we are going to follow the same training programme with our individual coaches. It's an honest and good rivalry that we have, and then we'll meet again in Birmingham and see what happens.&rdquo;
<h2>On what she enjoys doing when she is not competing or training:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm a big basketball fan. I like watching basketball games in Granada. I like walking around the city, just sightseeing. And I like staying with my family because I live very far from them. Lately, one thing I have really enjoyed is playing cards with my great grandmother.&rdquo;
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Spanish race walker Maria Perez reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future

World out of stadium athlete of the year Maria Perez – in her words

<ul>
<li>Partnership with World Athletics includes construction of 11 running tracks in 11 countries around the world</li>
</ul>
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), in partnership with World Athletics and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has launched &lsquo;Aim Beyond&rsquo; &ndash; a project that aims to empower youth and underserved communities through the transformative power of sport.
As part of the project, 11 state-of-the-art, eco-friendly and inclusive running tracks will be constructed across 11 countries around the world, in Anguilla, Burundi, Cook Islands, Dominica, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Palestine, Panama, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Ukraine.
The project reflects Qatar&rsquo;s deep belief in the power of sport to promote sustainable development, peace and social cohesion. It also underscores the country&rsquo;s determination to transform sporting legacy into a tangible tool for positive change in the lives of youth and communities.
The tracks to be built are distinguished by their inclusivity, accommodating the needs of athletes with disabilities, and by their sustainability, using eco-friendly materials. The new tracks will also serve as community hubs that promote the values of sporting excellence and strengthen young athletes&rsquo; sense of belonging to their communities.
&ldquo;In many communities around the world, athletic talent is abundant, but facilities are not &ndash; and that&rsquo;s where Aim Beyond makes its mark,&rdquo; said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon, who attended the signing ceremony for the project in Doha on Monday (8). &ldquo;Partnerships drive our mission to make athletics accessible and inspiring for all, and the collaboration between World Athletics, QOC and QFFD is exactly the kind of strategic, human-centred teamwork our sport needs.
&ldquo;Together, we are strengthening infrastructure for our Member Federations, opening doors that many young athletes have never been able to walk through, and ensuring the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships continues to reach well beyond Qatar.
&ldquo;My sincere thank you to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, whose vision and commitment to athletics are helping to shape the future of our sport. Our sport owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.&rdquo;
The announcement of the project came pursuant to the agreement signed by the QOC Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and the QFFD Director General Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, held from 6-8 December under the theme &lsquo;Diplomacy, Dialogue and Diversity&rsquo;.
H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said: &ldquo;Aim Beyond is an ambitious project to create a world where every aspiring athlete has access to facilities to aim beyond their limits. Just as Doha 2019 allowed Qatar to aim beyond its limits in pursuit of its ultimate dream, so too will this project create opportunities for young athletes to reach their full potential.
&ldquo;We are proud that through this ambitious project, the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships will continue to shape the future of athletics &ndash; transcending borders and serving as a symbol of commitment, hope and opportunity.&rdquo;
Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti said: &ldquo;At Qatar Fund for Development, we firmly believe that sport is a transformative catalyst for human development and social progress and our partnership today with the Qatar Olympic Committee project reflects this commitment.
&ldquo;By establishing inclusive and sustainable athletics tracks in underserved communities, we are creating pathways for young people to develop their talents, strengthen their capabilities, and realise their full potential. This initiative is not merely about constructing facilities, it is about laying the foundations for brighter, more prosperous futures.&rdquo;
The signing ceremony during the Doha Forum &ndash; a premier global platform for dialogue and diplomacy &ndash; highlights how sport can drive sustainable development, peace and human development. The forum brings together global leaders, policymakers and innovators to discuss critical challenges and shape action-driven solutions.
World Athletics

Partnership with World Athletics includes construction of 11 running tracks in 11 countries around the world

Qatar launches ‘Aim Beyond’ project to empower youth through sport

Kenya&rsquo;s Joyciline Jepkosgei set a world lead of 2:14:00 to move to fourth on the world all-time list at the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso &ndash; a World Athletics Elite Platinum Label event &ndash; on Sunday (7).&nbsp;
The 31-year-old improved the course record by almost a minute and finished 43 seconds ahead of her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir, who became the sixth-fastest women&rsquo;s marathon runner in history with her runner-up performance of 2:14:43.
In the men&rsquo;s race, Kenya&rsquo;s John Korir claimed a dominant win in 2:02:24, improving his PB by 20 seconds to record the third-quickest time of the year and move to eighth on the world all-time list.
The women&rsquo;s contest had been billed as a thrilling clash between the two Kenyan aces Jepchirchir and Jepkosgei, their respective lifetime bests just eight seconds apart (2:16:16 and 2:16:24).
Perfectly paced by Julius Bwambok (Jepchirchir) and Felix Kibiwott Ruto (Jepkosgei), both reached the 5km mark in 16:16 in the company of the Ethiopian pair of 2023 world champion Amane Beriso and Fikrte Wereta. First Wereta was dropped and then Beriso lost touch as they approached 10km, resulting in the anticipated Jepchirchir versus Jepkosgei showdown.
The pair went through 10km in 32:00 and their cadence began to increase as the following 10km section was covered in a frantic 31:06. They reached the half-marathon mark in 1:06:34, putting them on track for a big improvement on the targeted world-leading performance of 2:14:57. They were followed some way back by Wereta (1:08:27) and Beriso (1:09:08).
Another powerful 31:41 10km split saw them reach 30km in 1:34:47 and the race entered its most thrilling phase as Jepchirchir&rsquo;s pacemaker dropped out. Even so, the world champion managed to create a slight gap on Jepkosgei, but the latter responded.
The key movement came with around three kilometres remaining, when Jepkosgei maintained her 3:10/3:11 kilometre rhythm but Jepchirchir, competing just 12 weeks after claiming the world title in Tokyo, began to gradually lose ground and she was 15 seconds back by the 40km mark.
Jepkosgei was rewarded with a prestigious win and big PB of 2:14:00, while 2020 winner Jepchirchir held on for the runner-up spot in 2:14:43 &ndash; the second-fastest time in the world this year and another huge PB.
In the fight for the remaining place on the podium, the fading Wereta and Beriso were easily overtaken by several athletes and third place was secured by Chloe Herbiet who ran a four-minute PB of 2:20:38 to break the long-standing Belgian record of 2:23:06. She ran a perfectly-judged race, completed with a negative split (1:10:51 and 1:09:47). Finland&rsquo;s Alisa Vainio and Australia&rsquo;s Jessica Stenson finished fourth and fifth in respective national records of 2:20:48 and 2:21:24.
Jepkosgei, who set the second of her world half marathon records in Valencia in 2017, said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m so excited. I can&rsquo;t believe I have won here. Definitely Valencia brings me good luck, as I set a world half marathon record here some years ago. I&rsquo;m delighted to have bettered my PB by such a large amount.&rdquo;
The men&rsquo;s event promised an assault on the world lead of 2:02:16 set by Sebastian Sawe in Berlin. Perfectly guided by a trio of pacemakers &ndash; Benson Tunyo, Francis Abong and Mako Ako &ndash; a large leading men&rsquo;s group went through the opening 5km in 14:37, slightly slower than scheduled.
That pace was maintained until the leading pack reached the 10km checkpoint in 29:17. The group had whittled down to five athletes by then: Ethiopia&rsquo;s course record-holder Sisay Lemma and debutant Gemechu Dida, plus Kenyans Korir, Hillary Kipkoech and Justus Kangogo. Korir was always to the fore, running closest to the pacemakers.
Another 5km split of 14:33 meant they reached 15km in 43:50 as Lemma led the quintet and Korir ran at the back of the pack at that point. The pace settled at 2:56 per kilometre and they reached the half-marathon mark in 1:01:46.
It was Dida who took charge of the pacing duties once the pacemakers dropped out at around 25km (1:13:17), but he was soon overtaken by Korir. The 2024 Chicago and 2025 Boston marathon winner then upped the pace to quickly open a sizeable margin over his four chasers, although Lemma soon began to lose ground
Korir was a lonesome leader by the 30km checkpoint, which he reached in 1:27:31 &ndash; 35 seconds ahead of the trio of Kangogo, Kipkoech and Dida. Meanwhile, a charging Amanal Petros travelled another 45 seconds back alongside Norwegian debutant Awet Kibrab.
Korir covered the 30-40km section in 28:39 to widen his lead and threaten the world lead, finally crossing the finish line in a lifetime best of 2:02:24 after respective halves of 1:01:47 and 1:00:37.
Germany&rsquo;s world silver medallist Petros finished like a train to secure the runner-up place and regain the German record thanks to a 2:04:03 effort (1:02:41 and 1:01:22) and Kibrab took a surprise third place in a national record of 2:04:24. Japan&rsquo;s Suguru Osako also dipped under the 2:05 barrier thanks to a national record of 2:04:55. Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee finished seventh in 2:06:38.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m over the moon as I got the win and also a career best,&rdquo; said Korir. &ldquo;After my DNF in Chicago I believed in myself and soon set the goal of building up for Valencia. My main target today was the win but I knew that would likely lead me to a very fast time, so I can&rsquo;t ask for more.&rdquo;
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:14:00 2 Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:14:43 3 Chloe Herbiet (BEL) 2:20:38 4 Alisa Vainio (FIN) 2:20:48 5 Jessica Stenson (AUS) 2:21:24 6 Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 2:23:22 7 Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:23:35 8 Lonah Salpeter (ISR) 2:23:45 9 Meritxell Soler (ESP) 2:23:49 10 Natasha Wilson (GBR) 2:24:21&nbsp;
Men 1 John Korir (KEN) 2:02:24 2 Amanal Petros (GER) 2:04:03 3 Awet Kibrab (NOR) 2:04:24 4 Suguru Osako (JPN) 2:04:55 5 Gashau Ayale (ISR) 2:05:29 6 Justus Kangogo (KEN) 2:06:11 7 Alex Yee (GBR) 2:06:38 8 Felix Bour (FRA) 2:06:41 9 Filmon Tesfu (NED) 2:06:42 10 Gemechu Dida (ETH) 2:06:45
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7219905/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a>
&nbsp;

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei set a world lead of 2:14:00 to move to fourth on the world all-time list at the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso

Jepkosgei runs world-leading course record to win Valencia Marathon

Noah Lyles&nbsp;will return to Boston to race at his eighth&nbsp;New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, while Jake Wightman&nbsp;will take on&nbsp;Grant Fisher in a 2000m clash during the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting on 24 January.
Lyles will compete in Boston following a 2025 campaign that began with a fourth consecutive 60m victory at the indoor meeting and ended with a fourth successive world 200m title. He also claimed bronze in the 100m and anchored the US team to gold in the 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
In an exciting clash of athletes stepping up and down in distance, the men&rsquo;s 2000m will be headlined by Great Britain&rsquo;s 2022 world 1500m champion&nbsp;Jake Wightman&nbsp;and USA&rsquo;s Olympic 5000m and 10,000m bronze medallist&nbsp;Grant Fisher.
Having missed major championships in 2023 and 2024 due to injuries, Wightman roared back to form this year, claiming world 1500m silver in Tokyo. Fisher&rsquo;s achievements in 2025 included world records in the short track 3000m and 5000m.
Also returning to the&nbsp;New Balance Indoor Grand Prix&nbsp;will be&nbsp;Elle St. Pierre, the North American record-holder in the 3000m and short track mile.
St. Pierre, a native of nearby Vermont, won 3000m gold at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, two years after securing silver in the same event in Belgrade.
Organisers for World Athletics

Noah Lyles will return to Boston to race at his eighth New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, while Jake Wightman will take on Grant Fisher in a 2000m clash during the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting

Lyles returns, Wightman and Fisher in 2000m clash in Boston

Weini Kelati Frezghi and Parker Wolfe were convincing winners of the senior titles at the US Cross Country Championships in Portland on Saturday (6) as the host nation selected its team for the upcoming World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26.
The first six athletes to finish in both the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s 10km races at Glendoveer Golf Course booked their spot on the US team for the global event on 10 January 2026.
It was a race of redemption for both of the winners. When Kelati Frezghi last competed in a trial to make a national team, she placed fourth in both the 5000m and 10,000m at this year&rsquo;s US Championships, narrowly missing out on making the team for the World Championships in Tokyo. Wolfe, meanwhile, placed third in the 5000m at last year&rsquo;s US Olympic Trials, but was a few seconds shy of the qualifying mark and so was unable to earn his place on the team.
Today in Portland, however, both Kelati Frezghi and Wolfe guaranteed their selection in emphatic style.
Emma Grace Hurley and Parker Valby were among the early leaders of a large lead pack in the women&rsquo;s race as 2km was reached in 6:29. The pack had been whittled down to nine women at 4km (13:25) with Kelati Frezghi leading. Just one kilometre later, the pack had been reduced to a trio &ndash; Katie Izzo, Kelati Frezghi and Ednah Kurgat &ndash; as the half-way point was reached in 16:44.
Kurgat dropped behind a few minutes later, then Izzo was next to fade, leaving Kelati Frezghi out in front for the final three kilometres. She extended her lead with each lap, eventually crossing the finish line in 33:46. Izzo finished second in 34:01, comfortably ahead of Kurgat (34:10).
&ldquo;I thought that last year was going to be my last cross-country race, but when I heard that the World Cross Country Championships were going to be in the US, I thought &lsquo;why not try to make the team and represent USA and show the world we can be competitive&rsquo;,&rdquo; said Kelati Frezghi, who finished 14th at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships. &ldquo;I came here to make the team and I&rsquo;m so happy I did that.&rdquo;
The men&rsquo;s race played out in similar fashion. Having gone through 3km in 8:35, the large early lead group was down to six men at the half-way point, reached in 14:28 with the likes of Wolfe, US 5000m record-holder Nico Young and world and Olympic finalist Graham Blanks still in contention.
By 8km, reached in 23:25, Rocky Hansen led from Wolfe with Wesley Kiptoo a few strides further behind in third. Wolfe closed the gap on Hansen over the next kilometre as Kiptoo faded slightly. With 27:15 on the clock, Wolfe overtook Hansen. About 50 seconds later, Wolfe increased his tempo and started to open up a gap on the long-time leader.
By the finish line, Wolfe&rsquo;s lead had grown to eight seconds as he won in 29:17. Hansen held on for second (29:25) with Kiptoo claiming third (29:28).
&ldquo;After missing out on the Paris Olympics, I&rsquo;ve been looking to make a US team,&rdquo; said Wolfe. &ldquo;This was a fun experience and I&rsquo;m excited to represent USA.&rdquo;
In other events, Ethan Strand won the men&rsquo;s 2km race from Wes Porter, 5:26 to 5:27, while Gracie Morris was a clear winner of the women&rsquo;s 2km (6:20), finishing three seconds clear of Sage Hurta-Klecker.
Aidan Torres won the U20 men&rsquo;s 8km (25:11) and Victoria Garces took the U20 women&rsquo;s race by 14 seconds in 21:07.
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (10km) 1 Weini Kelati Frezghi 33:46 2 Katie Izzo 34:01 3 Ednah Kurgat 34:10 4 Karissa Schweizer 34:17 5 Emily Venters 34:21 6 Grace Hartman 34:26
Men (10km) 1 Parker Wolfe 29:17 2 Rocky Hansen 29:25 3 Wesley Kiptoo 29:28 4 Ahmed Muhumed 29:34 5 Nico Young 29:42 6 Graham Blanks 29:45

46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships

Weini Kelati Frezghi and Parker Wolfe were convincing winners of the senior titles at the US Cross Country Championships in Portland

Kelati Frezghi and Wolfe take US cross-country titles in Portland

Mathew Kipkoech stormed to victory in the senior men&rsquo;s race at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run, while Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema claimed the women&rsquo;s title at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting held in Eldoret on Saturday (6). Both athletes mastered a brutal course on Chepsaita&rsquo;s rolling hills that humbled hundreds of runners across categories.
Chepsaita, whose name in the local language refers to a place where &ldquo;droplets fall on to the ground&rdquo;, certainly lived up to its meaning &ndash; only this time, it was sweat providing the downpour. The cross-country course sits about 54km west of Eldoret along the Eldoret-Uganda highway, and nearly every winner mentioned just how tough it was as they caught their breath at the finish.
As promised by the organisers, this year&rsquo;s edition was bigger, more competitive, and undeniably more dramatic.
The senior men&rsquo;s 10km race drew the day&rsquo;s largest field with 364 entrants. It was also the fastest and arguably the most competitive, the leaders hitting the first lap counter in 6:34.
Kipkoech, currently world ranked No.3 in cross country, remained patient until the final lap, moving to the front with Kisa Kipserem, Vincent Kimaiyo and Cornelius Konor close behind. The last lap turned into a fierce, exhausted scramble for the line. Kipkoech summoned one last burst to win in 31:49 before collapsing as first-aid responders rushed over. Konor finished one second behind, with Kipserem third in 31:51. The top five were separated by a single second each.
&ldquo;Last year, I was third in Chepsaita, and I went back to the drawing board with the aim of coming back and improving my performance,&rdquo; said Kipkoech. &ldquo;I just put in more effort in training and remained focused. This win means a lot to me.&rdquo;
The senior women&rsquo;s 10km featured 175 runners. Faith Cherono led Dorcus Ndiema, Mercy Chepkemoi and Emmaculet Jepkosgei through the first lap in 7:31. Jepkosgei was the first to slip back, followed by Chepkemoi, leaving Ndiema and Cherono stride for stride at halfway.
But the afternoon heat and punishing terrain soon reshuffled the order. Ndiema pushed to the front and held it all the way to the finish, clocking 35:44. Brenda Jepchirchir surged from behind to take second in 36:08, while Cherono, visibly struggling and collapsing after the line, settled for third in 36:39.
Just like Kipkoech, Ndiema was already familiar with the course &ndash; an advantage she believes helped her clinch the title.
&ldquo;Last year, I was in the under-20 category and finished seventh,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;My transition to the senior category has been great.&rdquo;
Joan Chepkurui, who finished fourth over 3000m at the Kenyan trials for the African U20 and U18 Championships, won the U20 women&rsquo;s 6km title in 21:34. Kelvin Kariankei took the U20 men&rsquo;s 8km race in 25:20, winning comfortably by seven seconds.
Before the U20 events, younger age-group races served as curtain-raisers and a reminder of the depth of Kenya&rsquo;s future talent. Athletics icons Paul Tergat and Beatrice Chebet were among those presenting awards to the children.
Justin Lagat for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (10km) 1 Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema (KEN) 35:44 2 Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 36:08 3 Faith Cherono (KEN) 36:39 4 Christine Komen (KEN) 36:46 5 Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei (KEN) 36:51
Men (10km) 1 Mathew Kipkoech (KEN) 31:49 2 Cornelius Kipkosgei Konor (KEN) 31:50 3 Sammy Kisa Kapserem (KEN) 31:51 4 Vincent Kimaiyo (KEN) 31:52 5 Amos Kiprotich (KEN) 31:53

Mathew Kipkoech stormed to victory in the senior men’s race at the Great Chepsaita Run, while Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema claimed the women’s title

Kipkoech and Ndiema shine at Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.olympics.com/ioc/athletes/emergency-extrication-on-the-field-of-play" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video series</a>&nbsp;providing guidance on&nbsp;emergency extrication on the field of play&nbsp;has been developed as part of a collaboration between the World Athletics&nbsp;Health &amp; Science Department, the&nbsp;IOC Health, Medicine and Science Department, the&nbsp;Association of Summer Olympic International Federations and the medical department of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee.&nbsp;
The videos are intended to guide medical and operational teams on best practices, illustrating various scenarios such as&nbsp;those in&nbsp;sand and water venues.&nbsp;&nbsp;
They aim to promote consistency,&nbsp;preparedness&nbsp;and the highest standards of care across different fields of play. The videos&nbsp;demonstrate&nbsp;gold standard procedures, even though specific practices may differ between sports and countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For athletics, the &lsquo;endurance running&rsquo; video demonstrates the emergency extrication and management of heat stroke during a long-distance endurance running event. It highlights the critical steps required to prevent fatal outcomes, including the recognition of suspected heat stroke and the implementation of evidence-based management protocols &ndash; emphasising the urgency of rapid cooling in a controlled environment, such as a designated heat deck.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JXvmI4080Fw?si=Z6s25vSt8BCi6FJV" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&ldquo;In the world of sports,&nbsp;athletes push themselves to the limit,&nbsp;especially in challenging conditions&nbsp;like extreme heat,&rdquo; said World Athletics Health &amp; Science Department Director Stephane Bermon, explaining the treatment process.&nbsp;&ldquo;But when the body&rsquo;s temperature increases to dangerous levels and heat is not sufficiently dissipated, it&rsquo;s crucial to recognise and treat exertional heat stroke promptly.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Collaboration on this&nbsp;video series&nbsp;complements the&nbsp;extensive&nbsp;work undertaken by the World Athletics&nbsp;Health &amp; Science Department&nbsp;since the World Championships in Doha in 2019 and the latest research&nbsp;conducted at the&nbsp;World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25&nbsp;inviting&nbsp;endurance&nbsp;athletes&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/news/heat-acclimatisation-nutrition-study-tokyo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">participate in a study focused on heat acclimatisation and hydration/nutrition strategies</a>.&nbsp;
This&nbsp;video&nbsp;material&nbsp;is another pedagogical tool to be integrated in the&nbsp;successful&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/waendurancemedicine/remc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Race Emergency Medicine Course</a>&nbsp;and will&nbsp;likely help&nbsp;healthcare professionals&nbsp;to better manage exertional heat stroke in the context of global warming.
World Athletics&nbsp;

A video series providing guidance on emergency extrication on the field of play has been developed as part of a global collaboration

World Athletics contributes to global collaboration on sports emergency extrication guidance

Peres Jepchirchir and Amane Beriso &ndash; the last two winners of the world marathon title and the two most recent course record-holders of the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso &ndash; return to the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday (7) to headline a star-studded edition.
Jepchirchir and Beriso will clash with former London and New York Marathon winner Joyciline Jepkosgei in the women&rsquo;s race, while course record-holder Sisay Lemma faces Boston and Chicago winner John Kosgei in the men&rsquo;s race.
Three months after winning the world marathon title in Tokyo &ndash; racing in the same country where she won the Olympic title in 2021 &ndash; Jepchirchir will be aiming to replicate her Valencia win from 2020. On that occasion, the Kenyan set a course record of 2:17:16 which was a PB at the time, but she took exactly one minute off that mark when winning in London last year.
The 32-year-old&rsquo;s only outing this year was at the World Championships, where she clocked 2:24:43 to win gold, but she&rsquo;ll be eyeing a return to sub-2:20 territory on the superfast streets of Valencia.
Two years after Jepchirchir won in Valencia, Beriso smashed her course record with 2:14:58 &ndash; a performance which currently ranks her fifth on the world all-time list. Less than a year later, she went on to win the world title in Budapest.
The 34-year-old Ethiopian hasn&rsquo;t won a marathon since then, but she has still produced a string of solid performances, placing third in Tokyo last year with 2:16:58, finishing fifth at the Olympic Games in Paris, and fifth at this year&rsquo;s Boston Marathon.
Jepkosgei finished second to Jepchirchir in Valencia in 2020, clocking 2:18:40. She has since reduced her PB to 2:16:24, and earlier this year she finished second in London in 2:18:44.
Charlotte Purdue, Jessica Stenson, Malindi Elmore, Emma Bates, Isobel Batt-Doyle, Genevieve Gregson and Alisa Vainio are among the international entrants seeking a fast time to round out the year.
Former US record-holder Keira D&rsquo;Amato is the only other woman in the field with a sub-2:20 PB. Three years have passed since she last broke 2:30, but the 41-year-old will be hopeful of going quicker than her 2:35:57 run in Boston earlier this year.
Steeplechase specialist Gesa Krause, meanwhile, will be making her debut at the marathon distance.
The men&rsquo;s race centres around the clash between Sisay Lemma, 2023 Valencia winner and course record-holder, and John Korir, who arrives on the back of consecutive major victories in Chicago and Boston.
Lemma rewrote the event&rsquo;s record book in 2023 with his 2:01:48 triumph, a performance that puts him fourth on the world all-time list. The Ethiopian hasn&rsquo;t raced since last year&rsquo;s Valencia Marathon, when he placed 10th in a high-quality race (2:04:59). Just eight months prior to that, he had won in Boston.
Korir, by contrast, enters as an upward-trending marathon runner. His 2024 win in Chicago &ndash; a 2:02:43 breakthrough &ndash; followed by a 2:04:45 triumph in Boston earlier this year has transformed him from perennial contender to serial winner. If anyone can force Lemma into uncomfortable territory, it&rsquo;s Korir.
A deep supporting cast &ndash; featuring sub-2:05 runners Tesfaye Deriba, Hillary Kipkoech, and Stephen Kissa &ndash; sits ready to exploit any weakness. World silver medallist Amanal Petros is joined on the start line by compatriot and German record-holder Samuel Fitwi.
Other contenders include Kenya&rsquo;s multiple NCAA champion Edward Cheserek, former Japanese record-holder Suguru Osako, Italy&rsquo;s Yemane Crippa and debutants Gemechu Dida and Patrick Mosin.
<h3>Leading entries</h3>
Women Amane Beriso (ETH) 2:14:58 Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:16:16 Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:16:24 Keira D&rsquo;Amato (USA) 2:19:12 Fikrte Wereta (ETH) 2:21:32 Charlotte Purdue (GBR) 2:22:17 Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 2:22:22 Jessica Stenson (AUS) 2:22:56 Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:22:59 Alisa Vainio (FIN) 2:23:06 Genevieve Gregson (AUS) 2:23:08 Emma Bates (USA) 2:23:18 Malindi Elmore (CAN) 2:23:30 Ester Navarrete (ESP) 2:24:40 Chloe Herbiet (BEL) 2:24:56 Meritxell Soler (ESP) 2:24:57 Gesa Krause (GER) debut
Men Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:01:48 John Korir (KEN) 2:02:43 Tesfaye Deriba (ETH) 2:04:13 Hillary Kipkoech (KEN) 2:04:45 Stephen Kissa (UGA 2:04:48 Samuel Fitwi (GER) 2:04:56 Amanal Petros (GER) 2:04:58 Enock Onchari (KEN) 2:05:20 Edward Cheserek (KEN) 2:05:24 Suguru Osako (JPN) 2:05:29 Tariku Novales (ESP) 2:05:48 Nico Navarro (FRA) 2:05:53 Justus Kangogo (KEN) 2:05:57 Yemane Crippa (ITA) 2:06:06 Felix Bour (FRA) 2:06:46 Felicien Muhitira (RWA) 2:06:54 Shokhrukh Davlatov (UZB) 2:07:02 Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) 2:07:14 Philip Sesemann (GBR) 2:07:18 Abderrazak Charik (ALG) 2:07:20 Gemechu Dida (ETH) debut Patrick Mosin (KEN) debut

Peres Jepchirchir and Amane Beriso – the last two winners of the world marathon title – return to the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso

Jepchirchir and Korir take on course record-holders in Valencia

Uganda&rsquo;s&nbsp;Loice Chekwemoi will defend her title and Kenya&rsquo;s Ishmael Kipkurui will look to regain the crown he claimed in 2023 when The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run &ndash; a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event &ndash; takes place in Chepsaita, on the outskirts of Eldoret, on Saturday (6).
Competition director Kennedy Tanui confirmed that athletes from more than 20 countries have confirmed their participation. As well as Uganda and Kenya, the countries represented include Ethiopia, USA, China, Japan and Djibouti.
World U20 3000m steeplechase silver medallist Chekwemoi returns seeking a repeat win in the senior women's 10km. Last year's race featured a fascinating duel between the 18-year-old African 3000m steeplechase champion and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Mekides Shimeles, after the latter made an early surge only to be hunted down by Chekwemoi during the last lap.
This time, Rebecca Mwangi will be among the athletes hoping to bring the title back to Kenya. The 24-year-old claimed African 10,000m silver last year and became the national 5000m champion in June.
Rispa Cherop, who finished sixth in the classic race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September, will be another star from Uganda to watch out for.&nbsp;
Phemelo&nbsp;Matshaba, the 2023 African U20 3000m steeplechase silver medallist and South African champion, will be among those joining them to race the Chepsaita course.
The men&rsquo;s race will also be held over 10km and Kipkurui, who won during the first edition of The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run, will be among those hunting for victory. The 20-year-old finished fourth in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
The race is also set to feature a number of athletes currently in the Kenyan national camp preparing for the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee next month.
After securing a second-place finish over 6.9km at the&nbsp;Cross Internacional de San Sebastian Cross Country Tour Gold event at the start of November, Uganda&rsquo;s Martin Kiprotich will be another star to look out for.&nbsp;
Many track stars see the cross-country season&nbsp;as a build-up towards a successful track season, and some of the other notable names expected to be in action in Chepsaita include George Manangoi.
Lopang Oontse of Botswana, a two-time national champion in the 3000m steeplechase, and South Africa&rsquo;s Collins Kgadima will also be among those in action.
The land has been expanded since the first edition of the race in 2023. "Hills, valleys, a river and a shower point are all on the course,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Tanui. &ldquo;A good cross-country needs a vast space, and Chepsaita has offered that.&rdquo;
Not only has the land been expanded, but the prize-money structure has also grown.
According to event director Barnaba Korir, KES 750,000 ($5,800) is the prize on offer for the first-place finisher. The prizes go down to 10th place.
Justin Lagat for World Athletics

Loice Chekwemoi will defend her title and Ishmael Kipkurui will look to regain the crown he claimed in 2023 when The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run takes place on Saturday

Past winners Chekwemoi and Kipkurui return to Chepsaita

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe reflected on a successful year for the organisation at the 239th World Athletics Council Meeting in Monaco and reinforced how 2026 offers an unprecedented opportunity to build lasting geopolitical and geoeconomic relationships for the world&rsquo;s most universal sport.&nbsp;
The Council also decided on updates to the eligibility rules and regulations and competition matters during the two-day meeting on 2-3 December.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Our recent World Athletics Awards celebrated the very best in our sport and provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on what has been another outstanding year,&rdquo; said Coe.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Attendance figures across all three World Athletics Series events were strong, reflecting our focus on full stadia through a targeted marketing strategy. For our two championships in China, the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing had a sell-out crowd of 12,000 and the World Relays in Guangzhou attracted 37,000 fans. In Tokyo we saw full evening sessions and impressive morning sessions with a total crowd of 619,288, making it the third-highest attendance for a World Championships after Beijing 2015 and London 2017.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Our media reach outside of broadcast in 2025 was 38 billion, our social media followers grew by 3 million, from 14 million to 17 million, and we signed up more than 1 million new fans to reach a total of 2.15 million addressable fans, literally at our fingertips.&nbsp;
&ldquo;On the field of play, a record 84* countries achieved a finalist or top eight placing at the World Championships in Tokyo. This shows how far we have come in 30 years &ndash; just 47* countries achieved the same feat in Tokyo in 1991. No other sport has this reach. I never tire of saying that and I never tire of finding the proof points to show it.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Next year features a calendar of six World Athletics Series events as well as the new World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and Run X World Treadmill Championship, Area Championships, a Commonwealth Games, and Youth Olympic Games. Preparations will also continue for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing the following year.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Next year we have an unprecedented opportunity to build lasting geopolitical and geoeconomic relationships, with world championship events in Europe, Africa, USA and South America, and the ongoing work we are doing to raise our sport&rsquo;s profile in China. Don&rsquo;t underestimate this opportunity,&rdquo; added Coe to his Council colleagues.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are doing more than just holding an athletics event in these countries. The relationships we form, the respect we show, will stand us in better stead in the coming years as geopolitical rivalries reshape global markets. And our Member Federations, the lifeblood of our organisation, sit at the epicentre of what will be a challenging few years ahead. We all need to understand this and seize the opportunity to build strong alliances and networks.&rdquo;
<h2>Eligibility regulations: female category&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
The World Athletics Council received an update on implementation plans for the regulations concerning eligibility conditions to compete in the female category for world ranking competitions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The rule&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;eligibility to compete in the female category has not changed.&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/sry-gene-test-athletes-female-category" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Following the introduction of once-in-a-lifetime testing for the SRY gene ahead of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25</a>, the regulations confirm where test results will be requested on a staggered basis from 2026 to 2030.
SRY test results will be requested by World Athletics from athletes competing in the female category at the following events during 2026, unless they had a confirmed clear test result at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&bull; World Athletics Series events and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship&nbsp; &bull; Diamond League meetings&nbsp; &bull; Marathon Major Platinum events&nbsp;
The categories of world ranking competitions at which SRY test results will be requested will be reviewed each year. The competitions will be announced by 1 November the previous year for implementation the following year.
Member Federations were also informed that onsite testing options for the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 were being explored, paid for by World Athletics. Information on the plans for testing at the World U20 Championships will be developed by the end of March 2026, including detailed information on permission protocols for minors.
The Council <a href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved the proposed amendments to the Eligibility Rule 3.5 and Regulations for the Implementation of Eligibility Rule 3.5 (Male and Female Categories)</a> with immediate effect.
The Council also heard how testing at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 was successfully completed. A total of 1015 female athletes, including reserve athletes, underwent the SRY test.
<h2>Competition decisions&nbsp;</h2>
<h3>Timetables published&nbsp;</h3>
Timetables for four 2026 World Athletics Series events were approved:&nbsp;&nbsp;
&bull; <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69306275104d67eb0cef8072.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26 (12 April)</a>&nbsp; &bull; <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/693063229a5a32a70fe8c360.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 (2-3 May)</a>&nbsp; &bull; <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/693062f59a5a32a70fe8c35d.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 (5-9 August)</a>&nbsp; &bull; <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6930629a104d67eb0cef8075.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26 (19-20 September)</a>&nbsp;
In addition to approving the timetable for the WRRC Copenhagen 26, the Council endorsed the LOC&rsquo;s proposal to introduce a mixed team competition in the mile and 5km events.&nbsp;
The timetable for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games was approved, the Council taking note of the IOC&rsquo;s final structure for the event and acknowledging that World Athletics has limited influence over the participation system.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Inaugural world record standards set&nbsp;</h3>
Following the announcement that the&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/world-athletics-council-action-against-gender-based-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half marathon and marathon will become the official senior road distances for race walking events</a>,&nbsp;the Council approved the following inaugural world record standards for those events:&nbsp;&nbsp;
&bull; Men&rsquo;s half marathon race walk: 1:21:30&nbsp; &bull; Women&rsquo;s half marathon race walk: 1:30:30&nbsp; &bull; Men&rsquo;s marathon race walk: 2:56:30&nbsp; &bull; Women&rsquo;s marathon race walk: 3:17:00&nbsp;
These&nbsp;inaugural standards must be surpassed to set&nbsp;a world&nbsp;record. Performances will be recognised&nbsp;from 1 January 2026.&nbsp;
<h3>Event&nbsp;and rule&nbsp;updates&nbsp;</h3>
Other approved decisions included:&nbsp;
&bull; having two sections for the World Indoor Championships 400m final, each with four athletes, with combined results, to take place for the first time at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&bull; adopting World Athletics rules for World Athletics Series qualification regulations, allowing athletes who turn 16 in that calendar year to compete at World Athletics Series events for all events and disciplines;&nbsp;
&bull; introducing a single, clear substitution policy for World Athletics Series and Olympic competitions, covering both track and field events;
&bull; limiting relay substitutions to a maximum of two athletes between rounds and finals for the single gender 4x100m and 4x400m events;&nbsp;
&bull; authorising the use of electronic assistance for athlete line-up management in relay events, particularly the 4x400m;
&bull; amending Technical Rule 22.6 (hurdle displacement); and&nbsp;
&bull; amending the Race Walking Technical Rules 54.6 and 54.11.1, to clarify operational procedures and improve event flexibility.&nbsp;
Updates were also provided by the various commissions and the&nbsp;Athletics Integrity Unit, the details of which will be available on the World Athletics website&nbsp;in due course.&nbsp;
World Athletics&nbsp;
*Includes athletes who finished 9th-15th in finals in events with heats or qualifying rounds.&nbsp;

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe reflected on a successful year for the organisation at the 239th World Athletics Council Meeting in Monaco and reinforced how 2026 offers an unprecedented opportunity to build lasting geopolitical and geoeconomic relationships for the world’s most universal sport

World Athletics aims to build on successful year and forge lasting geopolitical relationships during unprecedented 2026

World record-breaker, world champion, and now the 2025 World Athlete of the Year.
Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.
<blockquote>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
</blockquote>
<div>
<h2>On winning the World Athlete of the Year Award:</h2>
"Thank you so much. This is such a huge honour. Thank you to the jury and World Athletics for voting me in yet again. I hope to keep pushing it. I hope to keep irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come. I'm proud to represent everyone who supports me &ndash; my family and my future wife. It's really important for me to win this for the field eventers. It's very special, I'm going to really cherish this one.
"I genuinely try to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. I have a lot of joy that I hope to spread when I'm on the track; I have an immense passion and joy for what I do. I'm so obsessed with pole vaulting and I love pushing myself. I hope that I can inspire the next generation to try athletics, and even pole vaulting. If I can inspire even just a few people to do it, then I feel I'm doing my job."
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/692ed54bff0262c83c25cbed.jpg" alt="Mondo Duplantis receives his World Athlete of the Year award in Monaco" />
<div>
Mondo Duplantis receives his World Athlete of the Year award in Monaco (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Christel Saneh)
</div>
<h2>On 2025:</h2>
&ldquo;This past year may be one of my favourite seasons because jumping a world record in Stockholm was really high up on my bucket list and, of course, I also wanted to break the 6.30m barrier at the World Championships. So, to be able to do both of those was just insane for me, because going into the year I would say they were two of the biggest goals that I had.&nbsp;
&ldquo;But honestly, it was a really amazing year. Coming off of 2024 and the Olympics in Paris, it made me feel very free, in a way. I feel like my performance in Paris was so big, it was like everything else was a cherry on top. In some ways, there was less and less pressure, because I already did all this cool stuff so there&rsquo;s nothing really left to lose, it&rsquo;s only stuff to gain.&rdquo;
<h2>On the importance of strong fan support:</h2>
&ldquo;It's super important, especially in Tokyo, because I was out there for a very long time. Manolo (silver medallist Emmanouil Karalis) pushed me very hard and I had to take a lot more jumps. I don't know exactly, but I'm assuming that's the most jumps over six metres that I have had to take before a world record attempt. That&rsquo;s of course, in large part, because of how well Manolo was jumping, how hard he was pushing me.&nbsp;
&ldquo;So, it becomes very important, and then when you have that last attempt, and your back is against the wall and you're just trying to find that last little piece of energy you have left for one more good jump, you really can get a lot of that from the energy of the crowd. Everybody staying there, really supporting me and giving me a lot of good energy, that goes a really long way.&rdquo;
<h2>On maintaining his hunger and setting goals:</h2>
&ldquo;I feel like the hunger and the motivation is 100% still there. The real advantage to it is that I get to compete freely and just enjoy the whole journey. The victory is in the journey. I&rsquo;m fortunate enough to really realise that now because I&rsquo;ve done so many things that I could only have dreamed of accomplishing. I have the dinner, it&rsquo;s just all dessert now &ndash; this is all the icing on the cake, the cherry on top. I&rsquo;m just trying to enjoy the journey with amazing people around me.
&ldquo;I set goals &ndash; I think that&rsquo;s a very important thing. You can&rsquo;t be aimless &ndash; you have to have something to strive for. Whether you get there or not, that&rsquo;s not the most important thing, but you have to have something to chase. No matter what, I&rsquo;m always chasing something.&rdquo;
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<h2>On the chance to add another title to his collection at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in 2026:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm super excited about it. As far as the list of achievements that I could do in athletics, I have pretty much checked them all off. But if we add a new event in the Ultimate Championship, that's something I haven&rsquo;t done yet &ndash; that&rsquo;s something I&rsquo;d need to check off the list, and come away with victory there.
&ldquo;I think the concept will be very exciting. Of course, I'm excited to go back to Budapest, too, because I jumped 6.29m there this past year, so I know that it's a fantastic place and a great place to jump. I know they're going to build it up even more. I think the crowd is going to be really good. For sure, that&rsquo;s going to be the highlight next year.&rdquo;
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Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.

World Athlete of the Year Mondo Duplantis – in his words

Swedish pole vault supremo Mondo Duplantis will return to the London Stadium for the first time since 2018 when he competes at the Novuna London Athletics Meet &ndash; the 11th meeting in the 2026 Wanda Diamond League series &ndash; on 18 July.
The 26-year-old won his third World Athletics Championships gold medal in Tokyo and his fifth successive Diamond League title in Zurich this year. Those performances were among the moments recognised at the World Athletics Awards on Sunday (30), when Duplantis was announced as the Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year.
He has broken the world record 14 times since 2020, most recently clearing a gravity-defying 6.30m when retaining his world title in Tokyo.
Duplantis competed in the London Stadium for the first time as a 17-year-old, finishing ninth at the 2017 World Championships. He returned one year later, finishing third in the Anniversary Games behind the USA&rsquo;s Sam Kendricks and&nbsp;Renaud Lavillenie of France.&nbsp;His only other UK Diamond League appearance came in Gateshead in 2021, when he finished second to Kendricks.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been too long since I last competed in London,&rdquo; said Duplantis, who will target Lavillenie&rsquo;s meeting record of 6.03m which has stood since 2015.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My first ever World Championships was at the Olympic Stadium in 2017 and although I was still pretty inexperienced, I could appreciate the incredible atmosphere, so it means a lot to me to go back. There&rsquo;s just something about that place.
&ldquo;Every year I see athletes raise their game in the London Diamond League so I&rsquo;m excited to get out there and use that crowd noise to my advantage. I&rsquo;ve never won in London, so obviously that&rsquo;s the main goal.&rdquo;
Organisers for World Athletics

Mondo Duplantis will return to the London Stadium for the first time since 2018 when he competes at the Novuna London Athletics Meet

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