The World Athletics Championship is the biennial world championship for track and field athletics. It is organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations and ranks alongside the Olympic Games as the highest level of senior international outdoor competition for track and field athletes. The event includes 12 track events, eight field events, and a marathon and race walk for men and women. The first edition of the World Athletics Championship was held in Helsinki, Finland in 1983.
Over the years, the World Championships have showcased many of sport’s greatest performers. Some of the most memorable moments include Carl Lewis’ 100m, long jump and 4x100m relay golds, Grete Waitz’ marathon double, Ed Moses’ 400m hurdles triumph, Daley Thompson’s decathlon success and Sergey Bubka’s pole vault heroics.
This year’s event in Tokyo saw a handful of athletes earn multiple medals. Jaydin Blackwell defended two of his titles from Paris in the men’s 100m T38 and 400m T38 and broke his own world record in both races. He was joined by teammates Annie Carey (women’s 200m T44), Arelle Middleton (women’s shot put F44) and Joel Gomez (men’s 1500m T13).
The final weekend of action brought plenty of thrills and spills including a dramatic finish in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Geordie Beamish was in 11th place with less than 200m to go, but unleashed his signature devastating kick to clinch gold and displace the unbeaten Soufiane El Bakkali. The podium was completed by Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland and Masai Russell of the USA.