Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Heptathlon Showdown with Anna Hall, Nafissatou Thiam, and a New Wave of Stars Set for Glory

By: Denise N. Fyffe

The women’s heptathlon in Tokyo promises to be one of the most captivating multi-event battles in recent history. With global icons, Olympic champions, world record-holders, and rising stars all converging, fans can expect a thrilling contest across two days of grueling events.

Anna Hall: America’s Rising Powerhouse
All eyes will be on Anna Hall, who has emerged as one of the brightest stars in athletics. The American sensation dominated the Hypo Meeting in Götzis earlier this season with a lifetime best of 7032 points, tying Carolina Klüft for second on the all-time world list behind the legendary Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Hall’s performance included personal bests in the high jump (1.95m), shot put (14.86m), javelin (46.16m), and a blistering 800m (2:01.23)—a world record for the heptathlon.

Hall later secured her second U.S. title in Eugene with 6889 points and now seeks her third consecutive World Championships podium after bronze in Eugene 2022 and silver in Budapest 2023. Tokyo could finally be her moment of gold.

Nafissatou Thiam: The Reigning Queen
Belgium’s Nafissatou Thiam enters Tokyo with legendary status already secured. She is the only athlete in history to win three Olympic heptathlon titles (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024) and boasts two world titles (London 2017, Eugene 2022). Thiam also has three European crowns, most recently in Rome 2024 with 6848 points. With a personal best of 7013 points, she is one of the few women capable of challenging Hall for the top spot in Tokyo.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson: The British Challenger
Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson (KJT) remains a force on the global stage. The two-time world champion (Doha 2019, Budapest 2023) and Olympic silver medallist in Paris 2024 (6844 points) has consistently proven her ability to rise to major occasions. With her blend of speed and technical ability, she will once again be in the mix for medals.

Young Guns on the Rise
Several emerging stars are ready to upset the established order:

Saga Vanninen (Finland): The 23-year-old had a breakout 2025, winning three titles—European Indoor (Apeldoorn), World Indoor (Nanjing), and European U23 (Bergen)—with multiple national records.
Sofie Dokter (Netherlands): Runner-up at Götzis with a PB of 6576, she continues to rise rapidly, alongside teammate Emma Oosterwegel, the Olympic bronze medallist in Tokyo 2021.
Martha Araujo (Colombia): South American record holder (6475 points), third at Götzis, and winner in Talence, she is quickly establishing herself as a global contender.
Annik Kälin (Switzerland): Finished fourth in Paris 2024 with a national record of 6639 and remains one of Europe’s most consistent performers.

Other Notable Contenders

Taliyah Brooks (USA): World Indoor bronze medallist in Nanjing, improving steadily across the 2025 season.
Michelle Atherley (USA): Winner of the 2024 World Combined Events Tour, reliable and versatile.
Kate O’Connor (Ireland): National record holder (6487 points) and World University Games champion.
Auriana Lazraq Khlass (France): European silver medallist in Rome with 6635 points, backed by home support in Tokyo.
Adrianna Sułek-Schubert (Poland): Returning from maternity leave, she is building back toward her pre-break form.
Maria Vicente (Spain) and Sveva Gerevini (Italy): Both aiming to make the finals and surprise higher-ranked rivals.

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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.