Records Fall on Opening Day of 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing
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The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships kicked off in Nanjing, China, on Friday, March 21, bringing a packed schedule of world-class performances, national records, and breakout moments. Here’s a summary of the key highlights from a thrilling opening day.
Men’s Triple Jump:
Olympic bronze medallist Andy Diaz Hernandez of Italy won the first gold medal of the championships, delivering a world-leading and Italian record-breaking jump of 17.80m—his only legal attempt. Just two weeks after his European indoor title in Apeldoorn (17.71m), Diaz completed a rare double.
His mark ranks fifth on the world indoor all-time list and is the third-best performance in World Indoor Championships history. It also surpasses the Italian indoor record set by his coach, Fabrizio Donato (17.73m in 2011), and exceeds Diaz’s own outdoor national record (17.75m in 2023).
China’s Zhu Yaming, Tokyo 2021 silver medallist, claimed silver with a season-best 17.33m, while Brazil’s Almir Dos Santos took bronze at 17.22m. Diaz fouled his second attempt and passed on the next three rounds, returning for a final attempt but choosing not to jump.
Andy Diaz Hernandez:
“I fulfilled the promise. I said I would win, and I did. I’m sorry for my coach, whose record I broke, but this was the most important competition of the indoor season. I stopped jumping to avoid risks ahead of outdoors. My goal now is to go beyond 18 meters. This medal is for my mother, my family, and Coach Donato.”
Women’s Shot Put:
Canada’s Sarah Mitton retained her world indoor title with a throw of 20.48m on her final attempt—the third-best of her career. Despite a long and exhausting competition, Mitton found the energy to finish strong, fueled by the crowd in Nanjing.
Netherlands' Jessica Schilder claimed silver with 20.07m, two weeks after winning European gold at home with 20.69m. Two-time world outdoor champion Chase Jackson of the U.S. won bronze with 20.06m. All three medallists surpassed the 20m mark—a feat not seen since 1991.
Sarah Mitton:
“It wasn’t easy. We started warming up at 6 p.m., and we finished at 9:16 p.m. But the crowd helped a lot. I'm just really happy with how it turned out.”
Men’s 60 Metres:
Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu stormed to victory in 6.49 seconds, matching his personal best and winning his second title in two weeks after European gold in Apeldoorn. The month also brought personal joy, with the birth of his son, Azaire.
Azu becomes the 13th British man to win a world indoor title and ties the Welsh record held by Colin Jackson.
Jeremiah Azu:
“Just raw emotion. A month ago, it didn’t even look like I’d have an indoor season. Injuries, a coaching change—I went through a lot. To win now is incredible.”
Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy took silver in 6.50, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine earned his first global medal in 6.54 after six finals without a podium finish.
Women’s Pentathlon:
Saga Vanninen of Finland won gold with 4821 points, becoming the first Finnish woman to win a senior global combined events title. She followed up her European gold with a consistent and composed performance, winning the shot put (15.81m) and long jump (6.37m).
Saga Vanninen:
“This has been a big dream. I was nervous about my knee, but it held up. I’m really happy.”
Kate O’Connor of Ireland took silver (4742 points), making history as Ireland’s first global combined events medallist. Taliyah Brooks (USA) won bronze with 4669. Brooks clocked the fastest hurdles time (8.09), while Vanninen took control in the middle events and held off O’Connor in the 800m.
Men’s High Jump:
South Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo claimed his second world indoor title, clearing 2.31m on his first attempt—his season’s best. He became the third athlete to win multiple men’s high jump indoor titles, following Javier Sotomayor and Stefan Holm.
New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr, the reigning champion, earned silver with 2.28m, ahead of Jamaica’s Raymond Richards, also at 2.28m but with more attempts.
Woo:
“After the Olympics, it was a tough phase. But my coach and I prepared hard for this. Tonight is truly wonderful.”
Other Highlights:
Men’s 400m Heats: Chris Bailey led with 45.70. Brazil’s Mateus Lima set a South American record (45.79).
Semifinals: Brian Faust (45.89) and Bailey (45.91) advanced, with Jacory Patterson closely behind.
Women’s 400m Heats: Amber Anning (50.79) was the fastest qualifier. Henriette Jaeger (51.42) and Alexis Holmes (51.67) also impressed.
Men’s 800m Heats: France’s Yanis Meziane topped the timesheets (1:46.07). U.S. record holder Josh Hoey advanced comfortably with 1:48.14.
Josh Hoey:
“Very smooth race. No time goal, just executing the plan.”
- Women’s 800m Heats: Nia Akins (USA) led qualifiers in 2:03.29. European champ Anna Wiegolz and Shafiqua Maloney followed closely.
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