Preview: Mahuchik, Kitaguchi, and Richardson Lead Star-Studded Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo
The Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, sets the stage for what promises to be a preview of fireworks at the 2025 World Championships. Held at the same venue that will host the global showdown in September, this year’s edition gathers Olympic and world champions across disciplines. From Yaroslava Mahuchik’s soaring high jump season to Sha’Carri Richardson’s sprint return, and Haruka Kitaguchi’s homecoming in the javelin, Tokyo becomes the arena for top-tier athletes tuning up against elite competition.
Women’s High Jump
World record holder Yaroslava Mahuchik will compete for the fourth time this outdoor season. She’s coming off back-to-back Diamond League wins—clearing 1.97m in Xiamen, 2.00m in Keqiao, and a world-leading 2.02m at the What Gravity Challenge in Doha. The Ukrainian also took gold at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn and bronze at the World Championships in Nanjing. She’ll be challenged by Japan’s indoor record holder Nigisa Takahashi.
Women’s Javelin Throw
Reigning world and Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi returns to home soil after opening her season with a fourth-place finish in Keqiao (60.88m). She’ll be tested by Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ane Van Dyk, who edged her out in Keqiao, as well as World Championships medallists Flor Ruiz Hurtado (silver) and Mackenzie Little (bronze).
Women’s 100 Metres
Sha’Carri Richardson kicks off her 2025 outdoor season in Tokyo, marking her first 100m race since winning the Diamond League final in Brussels. The American sprinter took gold at the World Championships with a PB of 10.65 and followed up with Olympic silver in Paris (10.87). She’ll face Twanisha Terry, who finished just 0.1 seconds behind her in the Olympic final and won relay gold at both the World Championships and Olympics.
Men’s 200 Metres
André De Grasse returns to the site of his Olympic triumph in 2021, where he won gold in a Canadian record of 19.62. This season, he placed third at the World Relays in Guangzhou and clocked 20.23 in Miami. He’ll go up against rising US sprinter Robert Gregory, who ran a 19.93 PB in 2023.
Men’s 100 Metres
Christian Coleman returns to Tokyo aiming for a repeat win after claiming the title in 2022 with a time of 10.13. The 2019 world champion will line up against 19-year-old Christian Miller, who recently broke the US U20 record with a 9.93. Other contenders include two-time world finalist Hakim Sani Brown, PJ Austin, and Canadian Olympic relay gold medallist Jerome Blake.
Men’s 110 Metres Hurdles
Japan’s Rachid Muratake eyes victory on home soil after runner-up finishes in Xiamen (13.14) and Keqiao (13.10)—the third-fastest time of his career. He’ll face strong opposition from the USA’s Dylan Beard, who won the Millrose Games 60m hurdles (7.38) and ran 13.29 in Kingston, as well as 2023 Asian champion Shunya Takayama.
Women’s 100 Metres Hurdles
Tonea Marshall enters the meet in top form, having clocked a personal best of 12.38 at the US Olympic Trials and a seasonal best of 12.68 in Gainesville. She’ll be joined by Alia Armstrong and Japanese record holder Mako Fukube (12.69).
Men’s 400 Metres Hurdles
World bronze medallist Trevor Bassitt (PB 47.39) will headline the 400m hurdles, facing Costa Rica’s Gerald Drummond, who won the Eugene Diamond League in 2023.
Men’s 400 Metres
Defending Tokyo champion Kentaro Sato returns after winning in 45.21 last year. The Japanese record holder (44.77) will compete against Nigeria’s Emmanuel Bamidele (PB 44.24, NCAA champion) and Australia’s Reece Holder, who ran 44.53 in Paris and contributed to a 2:59.73 relay time at the World Relays in Guangzhou.
Women’s 3000 Metres
Australia’s Rose Davies looks to repeat her Tokyo success after setting a national 5000m record (14:41.65) at this meet last year, later improved to 14:40.83 in Xiamen. She’ll take on Kenya’s Hellen Lobun, who clocked 29:30 over 10 km in Valencia this year.
Women’s 1500 Metres
Sarah Billings returns to Tokyo after a 4:04.66 win in 2024. She enters with new personal bests of 3:59.59 (1500m) and 1:57.83 (800m). Compatriot Georgia Griffith, fourth in the World Indoor Championships, will also compete. Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka, who holds national records in the 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m, is entered in both middle-distance events.
Men’s 3000 Metres Steeplechase
Japanese record holder Ryuji Miura headlines the steeplechase field. He placed seventh at the Tokyo Olympics and recently clocked 8:10.11 in Xiamen.
Men’s 3000 Metres
Ethiopia’s Ermias Girma, the 2022 World U20 800m champion and 1500m silver medallist, leads the field against Ireland’s Brian Fay and Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir Kiplagat.
