Tokyo, Japan – September 20, 2025 – Day 8 of the World Athletics Championships 2025 delivers high-stakes drama at the National Stadium. Relay teams from around the globe battle in heats, while Australia’s Mackenzie Little shines in the women’s javelin final. Follow our live coverage as medals hang in the balance.
Last updated: 2:00 PM EDT (3:00 AM JST, September 21)
Women’s Javelin Final: Mackenzie Little Secures Back-to-Back Bronze
Mackenzie Little delivers for Australia! The 27-year-old throws 63.58 meters in the first round to snag bronze at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. It’s her second straight world bronze, matching her 2023 Budapest finish.
Ecuador’s Juleisy Angulo claims gold with a national record 65.12m, roaring into the lead early. Latvia’s Anete Sietina grabs silver at 64.64m, a personal best that edges Little in the final standings.
Little, a doctor by trade, qualified effortlessly yesterday with a 65.54m season’s best. “This feels incredible,” Little said post-qualifying. “I’m throwing free and loving every moment.” Fans on X erupt: “Mackenzie Little with the bronze 🔥 #WorldAthleticsChampionships.”
Full Women’s Javelin Results
| Position | Athlete | Country | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Juleisy Angulo | ECU | 65.12m (NR) |
| Silver | Anete Sietina | LAT | 64.64m (PB) |
| Bronze | Mackenzie Little | AUS | 63.58m |
| 4th | [TBD] | – | – |
Little’s podium spot boosts Australia’s medal tally to three bronzes so far at Tokyo 2025.
Women’s Shot Put Final: Dutch Power Shines
Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands hurls 20.29m to win gold in the women’s shot put. American Chase Jackson takes silver at 20.21m in a nail-biter.
New Zealand’s Maddison-Lee Wesche earns bronze with 20.06m, a personal best. Canada’s Sarah Mitton places fourth at 19.81m. The event highlights global depth, with three throws over 20m.
Heptathlon Wraps: Anna Hall Claims Gold
USA’s Anna Hall dominates the heptathlon, securing gold with a strong 800m finish. Ireland’s Kate O’Connor earns silver, while Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson shares bronze with American Taliyah Brooks at 6,400 points each.
Johnson-Thompson clocked 2:07.38 in the 800m, edging Brooks’ PB of 2:13.17. Hall’s victory cements her as a multi-event powerhouse post-Paris Olympics.
Women’s 5,000m Final: Kenya’s Double Glory
Beatrice Chebet sprints to gold for Kenya in the women’s 5,000m, completing her 10,000m-5,000m double from Paris. Two Australians make history as the first from their nation in a World Championships 5,000m final.
Australia’s Rose Davies and Linden Hall push the pace, finishing in the top eight. Chebet’s win adds to Kenya’s strong showing, tying them with Jamaica at 80 medals overall.
Men’s 800m Final: Wanyonyi Sets Championship Record
Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi edges out the field in a thrilling men’s 800m final, clocking a championship record 1:41.86. Canada’s Marco Arop and Britain’s Max Burgin chase hard, but Wanyonyi holds on down the stretch.
Burgin finishes sixth with a British record, telling BBC: “A PB here feels disappointing, but it’s progress.” Ireland’s Cian McPhillips competes in the mix.
Relay Heats: Drama and Disqualifications
Women’s 4x400m Heats
Great Britain’s women miss the final after failing to qualify by time or place. The USA and Netherlands advance strong, setting up a showdown.
Men’s 4x100m Heats
Canada’s squad eyes a spot in Heat 1. Jamaica’s team, led by updates from fans, gears up for a classic sprint relay push. USA’s men cruise through, with Noah Lyles anchoring.
Women’s 4x100m Heats
Australia’s relay team competes in Heat 2, aiming for finals qualification. Canada’s women in Heat 2 as well. USA, led by Sha’Carri Richardson, dominates early.
Mixed 4x400m Relay Heats (From Earlier)
USA sets a championship record 3:08.80 for gold, ahead of Netherlands and Belgium. Great Britain places fifth.
Relay Re-Runs Scheduled for Day 9
Drama unfolds: Two relay teams—specifics pending technical delegate review—will re-run heats tomorrow for the final spot. Current qualifiers hold their places; this decides the 8+1 entry. Expect updates on affected nations soon.
Medal Table Update After Day 8
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | [TBD] | [TBD] | [TBD] | 220 |
| 2= | Kenya | [TBD] | [TBD] | [TBD] | 80 |
| 2= | Jamaica | [TBD] | [TBD] | [TBD] | 80 |
| 4 | Italy | [TBD] | [TBD] | [TBD] | 55 |
| 5 | China | [TBD] | [TBD] | [TBD] | 48 |
Placing table as of post-Day 8 morning session.
What It Means for U.S. Fans and Athletes
Day 8 underscores USA’s relay dominance, with the mixed 4x400m record and strong 4x100m showings. Rai Benjamin’s recent 400m hurdles gold adds to the haul. For American viewers, this boosts streaming numbers on NBC and Peacock, inspiring youth programs amid rising participation post-Paris Olympics.
Australia’s Little and relay hopes resonate with U.S. allies, fostering trans-Pacific rivalries. Kenya’s distance sweep highlights global parity, challenging U.S. supremacy in sprints.
Fan Buzz on X
- “Another medal for Australia! 🥉 Mackenzie Little has finished third in Javelin with a 63.58m throw.”
- “🚨Live: Day 8… Javelin throw final (W). Heptathlon final women’s 800m. Women’s 5000m final. Men’s 800m final.”
- “It’s time…. for relays… Navasky’s historic appearance in the 800m final 🇯🇲”
Looking Ahead to Day 9
Tomorrow wraps the championships with marathon finals and more relays. Re-runs could shake up the 4x100m/4x400m fields. Will USA extend its lead? Tune in for the finale.
Stay locked for real-time updates on relay teams, Mackenzie Little’s celebrations, and World Athletics Championships 2025 Tokyo highlights. #WACTokyo25