Men’s 60m
The benchmark for the men’s 60m race remains clear. Christian Coleman’s 2018 world record of 6.34 still stands as the standard of perfection over athletics’ shortest distance, but the chasing pack is closing in, led by a new generation of sprinters operating at remarkable speeds.
At the forefront is Jordan Anthony, the 21-year-old U.S. champion who has set the world lead at 6.43 this season, alongside another standout run of 6.45. The NCAA champion arrives as the man to beat, but what makes this race particularly compelling is the extraordinary depth behind him. The entire top ten this season is separated by just 0.05 seconds, from 6.43 down to 6.48, a margin smaller than the blink of an eye, and one that all but guarantees a blanket finish.
While Coleman’s record may remain just out of reach, shaving 0.09 seconds over such a short distance would require a near-flawless race. The conditions are ripe for something special.
Among those poised to challenge national history is Kishane Thompson, the world and Olympic 100m silver medallist, who has already clocked 6.46 this year. The Jamaican record of 6.42 (set outdoors in 2023) is within sight if he can find another level, pushed by the rest of the field.
That national mark is currently owned by Ackeem Blake, who will also line up at these world championships with an indoor best of 6.45 to complement his outdoor credentials.
Then, there’s defending champion Jeremiah Azu, who is chasing that same 6.42 national mark.
The Brit has declared himself “fitter and faster than ever”, and with a season’s best of 6.47, he sits firmly within striking distance. To retain his title, he may need to push into national record territory, requiring an improvement of just a few hundredths of a second.
The women’s 60m also looks promising, with powerhouse sprinters Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso tied for the season’s best at 6.99.