Australia Gears Up for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
TOKYO, JAPAN – The 2025 World Athletics Championships are set to begin in Tokyo this Saturday, offering Australian fans comprehensive, free-to-air coverage and showcasing a team blending seasoned Olympians with emerging talent. The nine-day event promises thrilling competition across a range of disciplines, including men’s and women’s events, multi-discipline contests like the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon, and a mixed 4x400m relay.
Australia’s team features established stars like high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, a silver medalist at both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. Middle-distance runner Jess Hull,who secured silver in the 1,500m at the Paris Games,and discus thrower Matt denny,a bronze medalist in Paris,will also compete. Long jumper Liam Adcock, the Oceania champion, and pole vaulter kurtis Marschall, who won bronze at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, round out the experienced contingent.
A new generation of Australian athletes will also be on display, including sprint sensation Gout Gout, making his senior debut in the men’s 200 metres. Australian Athletics chief executive Simon Hollingsworth highlighted the potential of this young cohort, stating, “You look across the cohort and it’s exciting for what they’ll do right now in Tokyo, but also what that potential represents over the period leading into LA and then beyond.”
though, the Australian team will be without several key athletes due to injury, including reigning Olympic and world championships pole vault champion Nina Kennedy, race walker Jemima Montag (Paris bronze medalist), and sprinter Lachlan Kennedy.
Australia currently ranks 13th on the all-time World Athletics Championships medal table, boasting 15 gold medals - 10 won by individual athletes – and a total of 45 medals.
How to watch:
Australian audiences can watch every session of the championships live and free on SBS VICELAND and via SBS On Demand, wich will also host full replays, mini recaps, and Aussie Focus clips. Morning sessions will run from 8am to 1.30pm AEST on September 13-15 and 20-21, with evening sessions from 8pm to 11.30pm AEST nightly.
SBS director of Sport Ken Shipp described the event as an “unmissable viewing” experience, adding, “We’ve broadcast ten editions of the World Athletics Championships since 2001, and this one shapes as a impressive possibility for Australia.” Commentary will be led by Bruce McAvaney, alongside former world indoor 800m champion Tamsyn Manou for track events, and David Basheer for field events.
