Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Who Will Dominate the 200m?

By: Denise N. Fyffe

Julien Alfred surged to the top of the world rankings this season by winning the London Diamond League 200 meters in 21.71 seconds, marking the fastest time globally for the year and elevating her to ninth on the all-time list. Alfred, representing Saint Lucia, also claimed the Olympic silver medal in Paris last year with a time of 22.08.

Melissa Jefferson Wooden captured the U.S. 200 meters title in Eugene, lowering her personal record to 21.84—the second quickest performance worldwide in 2025. The American sprinter continued her strong form with victories on the Grand Slam Track circuit, running 21.99 in Philadelphia and 22.15 in Miami.

Brittany Brown, who placed fourth at the U.S. Championships in 22.20, secured her spot for Tokyo by winning the Diamond League Final in Zurich in 22.13. Brown also triumphed in Lausanne with a 22.23 finish in the 200 meters.

Anavia Battle demonstrated consistent excellence throughout the season, claiming victories in four consecutive meets: Xiamen (22.41), Keqiao (22.38), Rome (22.53), and Paris (22.27). She narrowly missed the U.S. title, finishing second in Eugene with a time of 22.13.

British standout Dina Asher-Smith, the 2019 world champion and 2018 European champion in the 200 meters, took the national title in Birmingham with a season-best 22.14, edging out Amy Hunt in a dramatic photo finish. Asher-Smith also placed second in both London (22.25) and the Zurich Diamond League Final (22.18).

Amy Hunt, Asher-Smith’s compatriot, won the British 100 meters crown in a personal best of 11.02. She finished third at the London Diamond League with 22.31 and matched that time for fourth place in Chorzow.

Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson is set to defend her world title in the 200 meters, having won at both Eugene (21.45) and Budapest (21.41)—the latter marking the second-fastest time ever recorded. Jackson showed she’s back in top form with a victory at the Diamond League meet in Chorzow, clocking 22.17.

So, we anxiously wait to see who will dominate the 200m at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025.

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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.