Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Will it Be Chase Jackson, The Reigning Queen of Shotput?

By: Denise N. Fyffe

Double world champion Chase Jackson arrives in Tokyo aiming for a third consecutive world gold medal, after her triumphs in Eugene 2022 (20.49m) and Budapest 2023 (20.44m). Jackson has been in stellar form this season, winning the US title with 20.84m and claiming three Diamond League victories—Keqiao (20.54m), Eugene (20.94m, just 1cm shy of her US record), and Brussels (20.90m). Though she finished second in Zurich with 20.08m, Jackson remains the heavy favorite for another global crown.

Jessica Schilder: Dutch Powerhouse

Dutch shot putter Jessica Schilder continues her rise as one of the strongest contenders. She claimed two Diamond League wins this season in Monaco (20.39m) and Zurich (20.26m). Schilder, already a proven championship performer, also won European Indoor gold in 2025 with a massive 20.69m in front of her home crowd. With her consistency and technical precision, she is well-positioned to challenge Jackson for the top spot.

Sarah Mitton: Indoor Specialist with Outdoor Ambitions

Canada’s Sarah Mitton has dominated the indoor circuit, winning back-to-back world indoor titles in Glasgow 2024 and Nanjing 2025. She also claimed the Diamond League Final in Brussels 2024, establishing herself as a reliable championship thrower. Tokyo offers her the chance to translate that indoor dominance into an outdoor global crown.

Yemisi Ogunleye: Olympic Champion Returns

Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye, who captured Olympic gold in Paris 2024 with 20.00m, will look to add a world title to her résumé. Of Nigerian origin, Ogunleye has shown impressive progression, improving her PB to 20.27m at the National Indoor Championships in Dortmund earlier this year. She represents one of the biggest threats to Jackson’s supremacy.

Other Key Contenders

The US team boasts additional depth with Maggie Ewen, runner-up at the US Championships with 19.94m and fourth at the Diamond League Final in Zurich, and Jaida Ross, who finished fourth at the Olympic Games in Paris and recently threw 20.13m for third at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene. Sweden’s Fanny Roos, seventh in Paris, rounds out a deep and competitive field.

A Battle of Giants

The women’s shot put in Tokyo promises to be one of the most competitive in recent history. Jackson remains the dominant force, but Schilder, Mitton, and Ogunleye all have the form and pedigree to push her to the limit. With several athletes consistently over the 20m barrier, fans can expect a thrilling showdown where the gold medal could be decided by centimeters.

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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.