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World Athletics Championships 2025: 7 Athletes who will be returning to defend their title ft Noah Lyles, Sha'Carri Richardson

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 1:19 GMT by sportskeeda.com
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World Athletics Championships 2025: 7 Champions Set to Defend Their Gold

As the 2025 World Athletics Championships draw closer, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if the current gold‑bearers can hold onto their titles in what promises to be a fiercely competitive edition. A recent Sportskeeda roundup highlighted seven athletes who will return to the global stage with the specific aim of defending the very medals they won in 2023. From explosive sprinters to world‑record‑holding distance runners, these athletes have dominated their events and will be the ones to watch.

1. Noah Lyles – 200 m Champion

Noah Lyles’ name is synonymous with speed and confidence. The American sprinting sensation captured the 200 m gold at the 2023 World Championships with a time of 19.32 seconds, a performance that put him firmly on the podium for any future event. Lyles entered the 2025 edition having already set a personal best of 19.10 seconds earlier that year, showcasing a blend of raw power and flawless technique. His training base in Atlanta has been buzzing with the latest biomechanical analytics, a testament to his relentless pursuit of perfection.

In the coming championships, Lyles will be faced with emerging talents from Jamaica, Kenya, and the Caribbean. Yet, his confidence remains unshaken, especially after a smooth transition from the 200 m to the 400 m in 2024, where he posted a 43.71‑second run, a new personal best. For Lyles, the key to success will lie in maintaining his form while managing the rigors of a packed schedule that includes both the 200 m and the 4×100 m relay.

2. Sha'Carri Richardson – 200 m Champion

American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson is set to defend her 200 m gold. She won the title at the 2023 World Championships with a 22.18‑second run, a blistering performance that made her the first American woman to take the event in over a decade. Richardson’s rise has been meteoric; she turned professional in 2020 and has already broken several national records.

Training out of Houston, Richardson has incorporated a heavy focus on strength and conditioning, which has helped her navigate through injuries that plagued her in the previous season. The 2025 championships will test her ability to maintain speed endurance, especially as the heat of the competition intensifies. While rivals such as Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah and Jamaica’s Sha’Carri Richardson’s compatriot, Tori-Ann, have been eyeing the event, Richardson’s experience and mental toughness position her as the favorite.

3. Michael Norman – 400 m Champion

Michael Norman’s 400 m campaign is a story of resilience. After a season interrupted by a hamstring injury, Norman rebounded to win the 400 m gold at the 2023 World Championships, clocking 43.78 seconds. The American runner has been hailed as the future of 400 m sprinting, with a unique blend of speed and endurance that sets him apart.

Norman’s training plan now includes advanced lactate threshold work, aimed at extending his pace into the final 100 m of the race. The 2025 championships will see Norman go head‑to‑head with the likes of Jamaican athlete Warren Mitchell and Kenyan contender Daniel Kipchirchir. The key for Norman will be to avoid the injury pitfalls that slowed him in 2023, and to step into the final with a well‑timed finish.

4. Karsten Warholm – 400 m Hurdles Champion

Norwegian king of the hurdles, Karsten Warholm, will defend his 400 m hurdles title. Warholm captured gold in 2023 with a stunning 46.78‑second run, a time that shattered the world record set in 2022. The reigning champion’s dominance is unquestionable, having beaten the field by a wide margin.

Warholm’s training regimen is meticulously tailored, incorporating a mix of speed work, plyometrics, and a unique focus on hurdle technique. In 2025, Warholm will have to stay sharp to fend off emerging talents from countries like the United States and Japan, where 400 m hurdles specialists are rapidly improving. Warholm’s track record of staying injury‑free will be a vital factor in his quest for back‑to‑back gold.

5. Elaine Thompson-Herah – 100 m Champion

Elaine Thompson‑Herah is the reigning world champion in the 100 m. The Jamaican sprinter won the title in 2023 with a time of 10.64 seconds, continuing her streak of excellence after securing Olympic gold in Tokyo. Thompson‑Herah is known for her explosive start and relentless top‑end speed, traits that have made her a household name in track circles.

In 2025, she will face a new generation of fast women from the United States, Jamaica, and even some surprise contenders from Europe. The competition will be tough, but Thompson‑Herah’s psychological edge and her refined race‑day routine have consistently given her an advantage over competitors in high‑pressure environments. Her training base in Kingston has recently upgraded to include a new indoor track, allowing her to hone her technique during off‑season months.

6. Marcell Jacobs – 100 m Champion

Italy’s Marcell Jacobs is a sprinter who has taken the world by storm. Jacobs captured the 100 m gold in 2023 with an impressive 9.81‑second run, becoming the first Italian sprinter to win a world title. His smooth stride mechanics and raw power have made him a top contender for the 2025 championships.

Jacobs’ training in Italy has been bolstered by a partnership with a European sprinting academy, giving him access to cutting‑edge performance analysis. Facing a roster that includes the likes of Thompson‑Herah and American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, Jacobs will rely on his speed endurance and the fine‑tuned start that has earned him his previous victory.

7. Joshua Cheptegei – 5000 m Champion

Ugandan distance runner Joshua Cheptegei is the reigning 5000 m champion. Cheptegei’s performance in 2023, with a 12:35.30 finish, reaffirmed his place as one of the fastest long‑distance runners in history. His training regime is a blend of altitude work in Uganda and high‑volume road racing, which has allowed him to maintain a high aerobic base.

Cheptegei will face competitors from Kenya, Ethiopia, and an emerging cohort of European runners in 2025. He will need to keep his race strategy razor‑sharp, especially in the final lap where tactical speed becomes crucial. Cheptegei’s mental fortitude, forged through multiple world championships and Olympic appearances, will be essential in a field that is constantly getting faster.

The Stakes of Defending a Title

The World Athletics Championships of 2025 are slated to take place from 3–14 August in Eugene, Oregon, a city known as “TrackTown USA” for its rich history in track and field. The return of these seven champions underscores the significance of the event and the level of competition that will be present.

Defending a world title is a psychological challenge as much as a physical one. While each of the athletes listed above has proven themselves on the world stage, the competition will not merely be about the best speed or the best endurance—it will be about who can adapt, who can stay injury‑free, and who can bring that extra spark in the final seconds.

Fans can look forward to an intense series of races where seasoned champions will be tested against a fresh crop of contenders. Whether it is Noah Lyles’ blistering sprint, Karsten Warholm’s lethal hurdles, or Joshua Cheptegei’s marathon‑like pacing, the 2025 championships promise to be a showcase of athletic excellence.

Bottom Line

Seven world champions are poised to defend their gold medals in the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Their names—Noah Lyles, Sha'Carri Richardson, Michael Norman, Karsten Warholm, Elaine Thompson‑Herah, Marcell Jacobs, and Joshua Cheptegei—represent the pinnacle of performance across sprinting and distance events. As the world watches, the question is not whether they can win again, but how they will do it against an ever‑evolving field of competitors.

Stay tuned for more updates as the championships approach and watch these elite athletes step onto the track to either cement their legacy or open the door for new champions to rise.