The world’s top athletes are gathering in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, as the World Athletics Indoor Championships kick off this Friday. A total of 11 defending champions are set to compete, each aiming to repeat their victories and retain their titles.
Leading the pack is Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, the men’s pole vault world record holder. Duplantis soared to victory last year in Glasgow with an effort of 6.05 meters. Remarkably, he has broken the world record 11 times, with his latest mark of 6.27 meters set in Clermont-Ferrand, France, on February 28.
Great Britain’s Molly Caudery returns to defend her women’s pole vault title after clearing 4.80 meters last season. The athletes will be eyeing the world record of 5.06 meters, held by Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva since 2009.
Other reigning field event champions include New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr in the men’s high jump, Dominica’s Thea Lafond in the women’s triple jump, Canada’s Sarah Mitton in the women’s shot put, Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers in the women’s high jump, Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou in the men’s long jump, and Burkina Faso’s Hugues Fabrice Zango in the men’s triple jump.
On the track, the USA’s Grant Holloway aims to maintain his dominance in the men’s 60-meter hurdles, while the Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton looks to defend her title in the women’s event. Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma will strive to keep her crown in the women’s 800 meters.
Adding to the excitement, China’s own Olympic women’s shot put gold medalist Gong Lijiao and two-time men’s triple jump world champion Zhu Yaming will be competing in front of their home fans in Nanjing.
The championships promise thrilling performances as these elite athletes push the limits in their quest for glory. Fans around the world will be watching to see who rises to the occasion and who might emerge as new stars on the global stage.
