Sixth day of the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo turned out to be a defining one, producing dramatic results and unexpected twists. While stars Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Keshorn Walcott rose to the occasion, several established names endured heartbreak on a night packed with record-breaking performances.
Walcott reclaims spotlight in men’s javelin
Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott stunned the field with a season-best throw of 88.16m, capturing the men’s javelin gold. The Olympic medalist demonstrated his consistency and composure to edge past Grenada’s Anderson Peters (87.38m) and USA’s Curtis Thompson (86.67m).
The result, however, carried shockwaves for South Asian fans. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Olympic champion and Olympic record holder, and India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending World Champion, both failed to reach the podium. For Chopra, this was his first major international outing since last season’s disappointing finish where he could not secure a medal, making the setback particularly significant.
McLaughlin-Levrone rewrites the record books
In the women’s 400m final, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once again proved why she is regarded as one of the most dominant athletes of her generation. Clocking 47.78 seconds, she shattered the Championship Record, World Lead, and set a new National Record for the USA.
The Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino chased hard to finish second in 47.98 seconds, also setting a new national record, while Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser claimed bronze with a season-best 48.19 seconds.
Cuban breakthrough in women’s triple jump
Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez stole the show in the women’s triple jump final with a world-leading effort of 14.94m. Thea LaFond of Dominica (14.89m) pushed her all the way with a season-best leap, while Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas, the multi-time world champion, had to settle for bronze with 14.76m.
Botswana dominance in men’s 400m
The men’s 400m final delivered another thrilling chapter for Botswana athletics. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi clocked a blistering 43.53 seconds to set a World Lead and new National Record, cementing his place as one of the sport’s rising stars.
Compatriot Bayapo Ndori (44.20) finished third with a season’s best, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards claimed silver in 43.72, also marking a national record.
A night of mixed fortunes
Day 6 of the World Championships reminded fans of the unpredictable nature of athletics. While McLaughlin-Levrone and Walcott stood tall with career-defining wins, heavyweights like Nadeem, Chopra, and Rojas saw their dominance challenged. With more finals still to come in Tokyo, the stage is set for further drama in the battle for global supremacy.