Finals Frenzy Awaits 11 Australians In Tokyo
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TOKYO – Eleven Australian athletes are poised to compete for coveted spots in the finals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, kicking off today with heats in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. The teams, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, face formidable competition from global powerhouses as they chase personal bests and potential medals.
The championships represent a crucial opportunity for Australian athletes to test their mettle on the world stage and build momentum towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Success in Tokyo will not only elevate individual careers but also bolster the nation’s standing in international athletics.
4x100m Relays: Record Attempts on the Horizon
The Men’s 4x100m team, comprised of Connor Bond (NSW, Mick Find out), Joshua Azzopardi (NSW, Rob Marks), Calab Law (QLD, Andrew Iselin), and national 100m champion Rohan Browning (NSW, Jack Edwards), will battle a stacked field in Heat 2. Rivals include world leaders South Africa (37.61), Great Britain (37.36), japan (37.43), and Italy (37.50). Despite the absence of injured sprinter Lachlan kennedy, the team aims to challenge the Australian record of 37.87 and secure a top-3 finish for finals qualification.
On the women’s side, the experienced quartet of Ella Connolly (NSW, Andrew Murphy), Bree Rizzo (QLD, Ryan Hoffman), Kristie Edwards (NSW, Andrew Murphy), and torrie Lewis (QLD, Laurent Meuwly) will compete in Heat 1. lewis enters the competition in career-best form, having recently lowered the Australian 100m record to 11.08 seconds. The team, boasting a national record of 42.48, will face challenges from Jamaica, the Netherlands, spain, and Italy.
4x400m Relays: fresh Faces, Fierce Competition
The 4x400m teams feature a new generation of Australian athletes.The Women’s 4x400m team, consisting of Commonwealth relay medallist Mia Gross (Vic, john Nicolosi), Global Medalist Ellie Beer (QLD, Brett Robinson), Jemma Pollard (NSW, Tim Eschebach), and Carla Bull (QLD, Brett Robinson), will contest Heat 1 against strong contenders including Jamaica (3:30.42 SB), Great Britain (3:24.46), and Germany (3:26.87). The team’s season’s best is 3:27.31.
In the Men’s 4x400m, Cooper Sherman (VIC), Thomas Reynolds (VIC, Matthew Oakley), Reece Holder (QLD, Christopher Dale), and Aidan Murphy (SA, Nik Hagicostas) will aim to improve their season’s best of 2:59.73 in Heat 2.
How to Watch
Australians can follow all the action live on both the Nine Network and SBS, with the morning session beginning at 8.30am AEDT.
