Athletes who wear their nation’s uniform at the World Athletics Championship must have something special to offer, and the 2023 edition in Budapest was no exception. From Femke Bol falling within sight of the line in the final of the women’s 4x400m relay to Britain’s Zharnel Hughes claiming bronze in the 100m, it was an event of epic thrills and unforgettable moments – as well as some incredible performances.
The first World Athletics Championship was held in 1983, and the sport’s best athletes gather to compete in 49 events over nine days of intense action. The 2023 competition saw 404,088 fans fill the National Stadium on the banks of the Danube River to witness some spellbinding racing and jumping from the finest in the sport.
Sprints: From the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 100m to the lung-busting 400m, the sprints highlight athletes’ raw speed and explosive power. Carl Lewis’s triple golds (100m, long jump and 4x100m) were a standout moment, while Jarmila Kratochvilova won the 400m and 800m, Marita Koch claimed the 1500m and 3000m and Sergey Bubka claimed six consecutive pole vault world titles.
Throws: Requiring immense strength and precision, the hammer and javelin disciplines prove a true test of all-round athletic prowess. The heptathlon and decathlon, which see men and women take on seven and ten track and field disciplines, are also true tests of all-round ability.
For youngsters, laceing up their spikes at the World Athletics Championships is seen as no less an honour than competing at the Olympic Games. The 87-strong squad selected by Australian Athletics for Tokyo includes young sprinters Torrie Lewis and Caleb Law, middle-distance runners Claudia Hollingworth and Peyton Craig, long jumper Delta Amidzovski and race walker Elizabeth McMillen. Australian teenager Gout Gout is another name to watch, having already been likened to Usain Bolt and running the world’s fastest time of the year this season.