{"id":2883,"date":"2025-01-21T07:30:03","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2883"},"modified":"2025-01-21T07:30:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:30:03","slug":"five-to-watch-in-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2883","title":{"rendered":"Five to Watch in ’25"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>As fireworks around the world signaled the beginning of 2025, the road to the Tokyo World Championships also began. Starting this year, the annual competitive calendar will end with the World Championships as the final competition of the year, scheduled to begin on September 13th in 2025. Between now and then much will happen. Indoor competition culminating in indoor championships for the NCAA and World Athletics. Followed by Relay meets, various Invitationals, the Diamond League, national championships, and assorted other competitions on the way to Tokyo. Along the way we’ll have the privilege of watching the world’s best athletes run, jump, and throw as they compete to become the world’s best at what they do. Following are five athletes that I believe beat watching on the road to Tokyo. Athletes that each have a story that makes their journeys unique.<\/p>\n

Letsile Tebogo<\/b> – Tebogo has been on a very steady path to stardom. He won two U20 100m titles and set the U20 WR of 9.91 in the process. His transition to “senior” competition was seamless, winning silver (100) and bronze (200) in his first World Championships in 2023. Then winning gold in the 200 in Paris last year. In the process he’s run 9.86, 19.46, 44.21, set a WR of 30.69 (300) and split 43.04! Quietly becoming the most versatile sprinter on the planet, and peaking my curiosity as to what he chooses to do this year. As a junior he dominated the 100m. He won his first senior gold medal in the 200m. However his 300m WR and relay splits (multiple under 44) say that he may be best over 200m or even 400m. So I’m ready to watch his journey towards Tokyo, because I’m certain that it will be both varied in events and therefore exciting to watch. Mostly I want to see just how fast he runs.<\/p>\n

Abby Steiner<\/b> – While Tebogo has had no hiccups in his career, Abby has had a few. She was injured in college, yet returned to become the best collegian ever over 200m, setting records both indoors (22.05) and outdoors (21.80). Culminating in NCAA titles in 2022, before winning the US title in 21.77, then winning two gold medals at Worlds in the 4×1 and 4×4. Then came another hiccup, a foot injury that slowed her to a 4th place finish at Nationals in ’23. Off season surgery on the foot, rehab, and a 5th place finish at the Olympic Trials. Followed by surgery on both feet to end 2024. Note that in spite of these issues, Abby ran 22.07 in ’23, and 22.03 last year – making her 8th globally in ’23 and 6th last year! So, in spite of the injuries and surgeries, she’s yet to drop out of the world’s top 10! It’s that fact, and Abby’s tenacious attitude and competitive nature, that lead me to believe that she’ll once again run under 22 seconds this year and earn a place in the Tokyo final. If that happens, she’ll be a medal threat. A journey that will be fun to watch.<\/p>\n

Shelby Houlihan<\/b> – Shelby’s road to 2025 hit a huge, hiccup when she failed a drug test in 2021 and was given a four year ban from the sport. Personally I was shocked as I saw her as the future of US middle distance running. Having set the AR in the 1500m at 3:54.99 at the World Championships in Doha in 2019. She’s served her four years and is ready to return and compete. Now there are those against her return. People that feel that anyone banned should never be allowed back in the sport. To that I could rattle off a long list of individuals that have served bans that many forget served them, including many “beloved” individuals. Some bans long, some short. Some record setters and record holders. Regardless of individuals personal feelings, once a ban in served, and the athlete has fulfilled the terms of the ban, which includes extensive testing to ensure their “cleanliness”, they are eligible to once again compete. So say the rules of the sport. Shelby has done so, and I’m looking forward to seeing her compete. At the end of the day, the sport is about competition, and is at its best, when the best compete. When she’s fit, Shelby is a fierce competitor that adds to this sport. Her journey in 2025 should be exciting to watch.<\/p>\n

Juan Miguel Echevarria<\/b> – Heading into the Tokyo Olympics, Echevarria looked ready to take over the long jump, with a legal best of 8.86m by the age of 21. A favorite heading into Tokyo, he was injured in the LJ final, still finishing 2nd, though he equalled the winning mark of 8.41m. Since then he’s been rehabbing, attempting to get back to competitive form. He left Cuba and went to Spain. Now 26 years old, he’s training with former World champion Ivan Pedroso, who is also coaching lady years Olympic triple jump champion, Jordan Diaz. Echevarria is scheduled to return to competition later this month and if healthy again is a game changer. That’s huge for an event where most major meets lately have been won around 8.50m.<\/p>\n

Patrizia van Der Weken <\/b>– Once upon a time European women dominated sprinting. Germany and the Soviet Union set all the records and won all the medals. That ended in the 90’s and since then seeing Europeans compete for medals has been rare. The last competitive euro in the 100m being Daphne Schippers in the ’10s. I think Ms van Der Weken could be next. The 5’8″ sprinter from Luxembourg, is technically solid from start to finish. She’s very focused and doesn’t seem to rattle, especially around the finish line. The kind of sprinter that makes finals and threatens the podium. She currently has bests of 7.07 (60m) and 11.00 (100m). Marks that I expect her to better in ’25. \u00a0The sport needs competitive European representation in the women’s short sprints. Personally I enjoy seeing more than just a US v Jamaican rivalry on the track. I think van Der Weken has the potential to enter that level of competition between now and LA ’28. A journey that could begin in earnest this year.<\/p>\n

I wish good luck to these and others as the season begins. I’m going to try to periodically highlight top athletes as we head towards another World Championships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As fireworks around the world signaled the beginning of 2025, the road to the Tokyo World Championships also began. Starting this year, the annual competitive calendar will end with the World Championships as the final competition of the year, scheduled to begin on September 13th in 2025. Between now and then much will happen. Indoor competition culminating in indoor championships for the NCAA and World Athletics. Followed by Relay meets, various Invitationals, the Diamond League, national championships, and assorted other competitions on the way to Tokyo. Along the way we’ll have the privilege of watching the world’s best athletes run, jump, and throw as they compete to become the world’s best at what they do. Following are five athletes that I believe beat watching on the road to Tokyo. Athletes that each have a story that makes their journeys unique. Letsile Tebogo – Tebogo has been on a very steady path to stardom. He won two U20 100m titles and set the U20 WR of 9.91 in the process. His transition to “senior” competition was seamless, winning silver (100) and bronze (200) in his first World Championships in 2023. Then winning gold in the 200 in Paris last year. In the process he’s run 9.86, 19.46, 44.21, set a WR of 30.69 (300) and split 43.04! Quietly becoming the most versatile sprinter on the planet, and peaking my curiosity as to what he chooses to do this year. As a junior he dominated the 100m. He won his first senior gold medal in the 200m. However his 300m WR and relay splits (multiple under 44) say that he may be best over 200m or even 400m. So I’m ready to watch his journey towards Tokyo, because I’m certain that it will be both varied in events and therefore exciting to watch. Mostly I want to see just how fast he runs. Abby Steiner – While Tebogo has had no hiccups in his career, Abby has had a few. She was injured in college, yet returned to become the best collegian ever over 200m, setting records both indoors (22.05) and outdoors (21.80). Culminating in NCAA titles in 2022, before winning the US title in 21.77, then winning two gold medals at Worlds in the 4×1 and 4×4. Then came another hiccup, a foot injury that slowed her to a 4th place finish at Nationals in ’23. Off season surgery on the foot, rehab, and a 5th place finish at the Olympic Trials. Followed by surgery on both feet to end 2024. Note that in spite of these issues, Abby ran 22.07 in ’23, and 22.03 last year – making her 8th globally in ’23 and 6th last year! So, in spite of the injuries and surgeries, she’s yet to drop out of the world’s top 10! It’s that fact, and Abby’s tenacious attitude and competitive nature, that lead me to believe that she’ll once again run under 22 seconds this year and earn a place in the Tokyo final. If that happens, she’ll be a medal threat. A journey that will be fun to watch. Shelby Houlihan – Shelby’s road to 2025 hit a huge, hiccup when she failed a drug test in 2021 and was given a four year ban from the sport. Personally I was shocked as I saw her as the future of US middle distance running. Having set the AR in the 1500m at 3:54.99 at the World Championships in Doha in 2019. She’s served her four years and is ready to return and compete. Now there are those against her return. People that feel that anyone banned should never be allowed back in the sport. To that I could rattle off a long list of individuals that have served bans that many forget served them, including many “beloved” individuals. Some bans long, some short. Some record setters and record holders. Regardless of individuals personal feelings, once a ban in served, and the athlete has fulfilled the terms of the ban, which includes extensive testing to ensure their “cleanliness”, they are eligible to once again compete. So say the rules of the sport. Shelby has done so, and I’m looking forward to seeing her compete. At the end of the day, the sport is about competition, and is at its best, when the best compete. When she’s fit, Shelby is a fierce competitor that adds to this sport. Her journey in 2025 should be exciting to watch. Juan Miguel Echevarria – Heading into the Tokyo Olympics, Echevarria looked ready to take over the long jump, with a legal best of 8.86m by the age of 21. A favorite heading into Tokyo, he was injured in the LJ final, still finishing 2nd, though he equalled the winning mark of 8.41m. Since then he’s been rehabbing, attempting to get back to competitive form. He left Cuba and went to Spain. Now 26 years old, he’s training with former World champion Ivan Pedroso, who is also coaching lady years Olympic triple jump champion, Jordan Diaz. Echevarria is scheduled to return to competition later this month and if healthy again is a game changer. That’s huge for an event where most major meets lately have been won around 8.50m. Patrizia van Der Weken – Once upon a time European women dominated sprinting. Germany and the Soviet Union set all the records and won all the medals. That ended in the 90’s and since then seeing Europeans compete for medals has been rare. The last competitive euro in the 100m being Daphne Schippers in the ’10s. I think Ms van Der Weken could be next. The 5’8″ sprinter from Luxembourg, is technically solid from start to finish. She’s very focused and doesn’t seem to rattle, especially around the finish line. The kind of sprinter that makes finals and threatens the podium. She currently has bests of 7.07 (60m) and 11.00 (100m). Marks that I expect her to better in ’25. \u00a0The sport needs competitive European representation in the women’s short sprints. Personally I enjoy seeing more than just a US v Jamaican rivalry on the track. I think van Der Weken has the potential to enter that level of competition between now and LA ’28. A journey that could begin in earnest this year. I wish good luck to these and others as the season begins. I’m going to try to periodically highlight top athletes as we head towards another World Championships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[548,515,582,636,654],"class_list":["post-2883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-echevarria","tag-houlihan","tag-steiner","tag-tebogo","tag-van-der-weken"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa3DCY-Kv","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":406,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=406","url_meta":{"origin":2883,"position":0},"title":"My Vision For the World Championships","author":"CHill","date":"October 5, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Yes, I know it\u2019s October and we just had the opening ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games.\u00a0 But with the majority of top line athletes missing from the Commonwealth, my mind can\u2019t help but fast forward to the next gathering of the world\u2019s best athletes \u2013 the World Championships in Daegu.\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 5 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 5 comments","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=406#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"BERLIN - AUGUST 23: South Korean dancers perform during the Closing Ceremony during day nine of the 12th IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium on August 23, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose\/Bongarts\/Getty Images)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/view1.picapp.com\/pictures.photo\/image\/6136639\/12th-iaaf-world-athletics\/12th-iaaf-world-athletics.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2367,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2367","url_meta":{"origin":2883,"position":1},"title":"How About a Real World Championships?","author":"CHill","date":"January 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"It's funny that one of the first things written about the sport in 2019 is about the addition of mixed relays to the World Relays event and to the World Championships. Funny, ha ha, in that they are being added ostensibly to make the events more interesting for \"fans\".\u00a0 How\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"World Championships\"","block_context":{"text":"World Championships","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=world-championships"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Sprinter-Shadow_thumb-115x150.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":430,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=430","url_meta":{"origin":2883,"position":2},"title":"Ten Things to Watch in 2011","author":"CHill","date":"January 1, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Goodbye 2010. Welcome 2011. Last year was fun, but there is something special about having a Major championship to look forward to. It makes the season seem more \u201cofficial\u201d.The athletes seem to feel that way anyway. Last year saw many athletes take time off, and end season\u2019s early. We may\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"BERLIN - AUGUST 20: The logo for the Daegu 2011 World Championshisp on display during day six of the 12th IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium on August 20, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Bongarts\/Getty Images)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/view3.picapp.com\/pictures.photo\/image\/6089676\/12th-iaaf-world-athletics\/12th-iaaf-world-athletics.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":790,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=790","url_meta":{"origin":2883,"position":3},"title":"It’s Time to Focus on the Indoor Season","author":"CHill","date":"January 16, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"With the Olympic Marathon Trials in the book, it\u2019s time to start to focus on the indoor season. Most of the sport\u2019s top athletes probably won\u2019t debut until April or May \u2013 a trend started around the start of the New Millennium. Still there will be lots to look for\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 12 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 12 comments","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=790#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bizbash.com\/content\/editorial\/mediafiles\/e3483sho_04_0206_Millrose_2_320.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2746,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2746","url_meta":{"origin":2883,"position":4},"title":"Time for a Worlds Revision","author":"CHill","date":"October 4, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The World Championships have concluded and everyone is already looking forward to Paris 2024! Because that is the event that EVERYONE puts stock into. So much so, that several high level athletes bypassed this year's World Championships in favor of preparation for the Olympics. You see, in the days leading\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"World Championships\"","block_context":{"text":"World Championships","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=world-championships"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/C212AA2F-776B-420D-8EA3-2281016CA083-150x150.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2897,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2897","url_meta":{"origin":2883,"position":5},"title":"Understand the Assignment","author":"CHill","date":"May 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The World Relays has come and gone, with a lot of \"unexpected\" finishes left in its wake. After watching the races and the comments made during and after the event, I've come to the conclusion that a lot of people really don't understand the purpose of the meet - including\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"World Athletics\"","block_context":{"text":"World Athletics","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=world-athletics"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2A6245A3-AA6C-4120-AF41-52A4ACA1A12A-150x150.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2883"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2885,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2883\/revisions\/2885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}