When you win a world championship it is an enormous honour and the achievement sits at the pinnacle of any athlete’s career. For multi-discipline stars it carries as much weight as Olympic gold – a title that is hard to acquire, but once won can never be taken away.
For runners to don their nation’s vest and compete at the World Athletics Championship is nothing short of a privilege. These championships – first held in 1983 – are the biggest event of the year and showcase the best athletes in the sport with unexpected triumphs, inevitable upsets and unfortunate falls all on display.
Athletes from all around the globe battle it out in a variety of track and field disciplines. The sprints – from the 400m hurdles to the 200m – test speed and precision, while the throws – from the javelin to the hammer – require immense strength and accuracy, while the relays provide a showcase of teamwork and smooth, synchronised transfer of the baton.
American athletes accounted for three sweeps this week, with Fred Kerley, Marvin Bracy-Williams and Trayvon Bromell all winning their respective finals in the men’s 100 meters. Kerley looked dominant in the semifinals and backed it up with a powerful performance in the final, while Bracy-Williams and Bromell have both bounced back from injuries that had many wondering whether they would ever return to their previous levels of excellence.