Women's Event-by-Event Preview: World Indoor Championships Nanjing 2025

The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, scheduled from March 21 to 23, promises an electrifying showdown among the world’s best female athletes. With global champions, emerging stars, and record-breakers set to compete, this year’s edition is expected to deliver thrilling head-to-head battles across all disciplines. From sprints to endurance races, jumps, and throws, here’s a comprehensive preview of the top contenders and key storylines in the women’s events.

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60 Metres

The 60m sprint in Nanjing will feature a highly anticipated rematch of the top four finishers from the 2025 European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn. Italy’s Zaynab Dosso, fresh off her European indoor gold medal with a world-leading 7.01, will look to continue her dominance. Dosso has had a stellar indoor season, claiming victories on the World Indoor Tour in Belgrade (7.12) and Torun (7.05), along with securing the Italian national title in 7.07.

Her fiercest challengers include 2022 world indoor champion Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland, European silver medalist in Apeldoorn (7.02), and Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van der Weken, who claimed bronze with a national record of 7.06. Van der Weken was also the overall winner of the World Indoor Tour, thanks to victories in Ostrava (7.08), Karlsruhe (7.13), and Madrid (7.09).

Ewa Swoboda, the 2024 world indoor silver medalist, will be another strong contender, having clocked 7.07 at the European Championships. Other notable European sprinters include Belgium’s Rani Rosius (7.08), Great Britain’s Amy Hunt (7.09), and Hungary’s Boglarka Takacs (7.09).

The U.S. challenge will be led by national indoor champion Celera Barnes (7.11) and Mikiah Brisco, the 2022 world indoor silver medalist with a PB of 6.99. Australia’s Torrie Lewis (7.14) and New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs (7.06) will also be ones to watch. Jamaica’s representatives, Jodean Williams (7.14) and Natasha Morrison (7.09), round out a deep and competitive field.

400 Metres

Norway’s Henriette Jaeger headlines the 400m field after setting a national record of 50.44 in Torun and winning European indoor silver in 50.45. She will be challenged by U.S. champion Alexis Holmes (50.51), who claimed bronze in Glasgow 2024. Britain’s Amber Anning (50.57) is looking to bounce back after her disqualification in Apeldoorn. Other notable entrants include Rosey Effiong (51.43) and Poland’s Anna Wiegolz, the newly crowned European indoor champion.

800 Metres

Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma aims to defend her world indoor title after an unbeaten indoor season, including wins in Metz (1:58.97), Liévin (1:59.02), and Torun (2:00.04). Her compatriot Habitam Alemu, St. Vincent’s Shafiqua Maloney (1:59.07), and South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso (1:59.88) will be among her main challengers. The U.S. hopes rest on national champion Nia Akins (1:59.31), while Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin looks to make an impact.

1500 Metres

World record-holder Gudaf Tsegay (3:53.92) enters as the overwhelming favorite, but she will be challenged by Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji (3:58.89) and Kenya’s Susan Ejore. The U.S. duo of Heather MacLean and Elise Cranny will also look to contend, alongside Britain’s Georgia Bell and Italy’s Sintayehu Vissa.

3000 Metres

Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu leads the field with a world-leading 8:19.98, facing competition from compatriot Birke Haylom (8:25.37) and U.S. champion Whittni Morgan (8:28.03). Ireland’s Sarah Healy and Australia’s Jessica Hull also enter in strong form.

60 Metres Hurdles

Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, fresh off a European record 7.67 in Apeldoorn, headlines the 60m hurdles. Defending world champion Devynne Charlton (7.65 WR in Glasgow) and Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent (7.75) will be formidable opponents. Others to watch include Dutch star Nadine Visser, Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska, and U.S. champion Grace Stark.

High Jump

Reigning Olympic and world champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh (2.01m) leads the high jump field, set for a showdown with Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers (1.99m) and Eleanor Patterson (1.99m). Serbia’s Angelina Topic (1.97m) and Ukraine’s Yuliya Levchenko add depth to the competition.

Pole Vault

Defending world indoor champion Molly Caudery (4.85m) will look to retain her title against Switzerland’s Angelica Moser (4.80m) and Slovenia’s Tina Sutej (4.75m). The U.S. team features two-time world indoor champion Sandi Morris.

Long Jump

The Bahamas’ Anthaya Charlton (6.98m) enters as the favorite, alongside European indoor silver medalist Annik Kälin (6.90m) and U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Jasmine Moore. Serbia’s Milica Gardašević and USA’s Monae Nichols (6.85m) will also be in the mix.

Triple Jump

Defending champion Thea Lafond (15.01m) will face Cuba’s Leyanis Pérez Hernández (14.62m) and Spain’s Ana Peleteiro (14.37m). Romania’s Diana Ion (14.31m) and Slovenia’s Neja Filipic are also contenders.

Shot Put

Canada’s Sarah Mitton (20.68m) looks to defend her title against the Netherlands’ Jessica Schilder (20.69m) and U.S. champion Chase Jackson (20.24m). Portugal’s Jessica Inchude and Auriol Dongmo add European strength.

Pentathlon

Finland’s Saga Vanninen (4922 points) is the world leader and favorite, with Ireland’s Kate O’Connor and Hungary’s Xenia Krizsan also in medal contention. U.S. champion Tallyah Brooks and Croatia’s rising star Jana Koscak could spring surprises.

4x400 Metres Relay

The U.S. team, featuring Olympic champion Alexis Holmes, leads the relay favorites. Poland, Australia, and Great Britain will also challenge for medals.

With world records, national pride, and personal bests at stake, the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing promises to be an unforgettable event. Stay tuned for three days of thrilling competition as the world’s best female athletes take center stage.