After two impressive editions for the British team (seven medals in 2022 and ten in 2023), the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships in arrive with expectations higher than ever and the prospect of a new medals record. Here’s a closer look at the athletes most likely to strike gold and make the podium.
The British squad approaches these World Championships in Tokyo with a clear ambition: to surpass its all-time medals tally and cement its place among the world’s top eight nations. That ambition rests on leaders at the peak of their powers, a remarkable depth in middle-distance running, and a relay tradition that remains unrivalled on the global stage. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Britain was the only nation to win a medal in each of the five relay events (men’s, women’s and mixed 4x100m and 4x400m), an extraordinary feat that highlighted the depth and cohesion of the programme. In Tokyo, the addition of the mixed 4x100m relay – making its debut at a World Championships – offers a sixth medal opportunity. Having already claimed bronze in this event at the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, Britain travels with legitimate ambitions.
Individually, several names stand out as genuine contenders for world titles. Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson dominates the global rankings and looks untouchable this season. Her ability to control tactical races and unleash a devastating change of pace over the final 150 metres makes her the overwhelming favourite – and with an opening time of 1:54.74 in Poland, one can’t help but wonder if the long-standing world record may also be on her radar. Behind her, Georgia Hunter Bell, who has broken through this season with a personal best in the Diamond League final in Zurich, sits third in the world and looks well placed to challenge for a podium. An unprecedented British one-two cannot be ruled out. In the men’s 800m, the picture is more open: Max Burgin, runner-up in Zurich by just fractions behind Emmanuel Wanyonyi, has shown he can mix it with the very best. His steady progression and tactical nous could make him a winner in a cagey final. Bronze medallist in Budapest 2023, Ben Pattison is still regaining form after injury, but his experience on the big stage could yet prove decisive.
Over 400m, Matt Hudson-Smith appears finally ready to seize the world title that has eluded him for two years. Twice a silver medallist – in Budapest and Paris – he arrives as the fourth-fastest in the world this year, but with the tactical maturity that could tilt the balance in a major final against rivals like Jacory Patterson and Zakithi Nene, neither of whom are seasoned at this level. The men’s 4x400m relay, built around Hudson-Smith, Charlie Dobson and Samuel Reardon, looks one of the strongest quartets in the field, capable of challenging for gold against the USA and Botswana – though the Americans remain favourites. On the women’s side, Amber Anning and Yemi Mary John form a complementary, experienced duo that should keep Britain in podium contention, particularly with Rashidat Adeleke carrying the weight of Ireland’s hopes alone. The mixed 4x400m relay, silver medallists in 2023 and bronze medallists at the 2024 Olympics, benefits this year from greater depth and could well climb higher, even eyeing gold if the strongest runners are deployed.
In the field events, British hopes focus on two athletes in the form of their lives. Molly Caudery, the 2024 world indoor champion, comes to Tokyo with one of the leading vaults of the season (4.85m) and added confidence with Olympic champion Nina Kennedy sidelined by injury. The women’s pole vault remains stacked, with Katie Moon, Tina Šutej and Angelica Moser in the mix, but Caudery has the tools to take the title. Morgan Lake has finally cleared the symbolic 2.00m barrier in the high jump, elevating her to joint-third in the world this year. Long chasing that breakthrough, she now looks ready to contest medals at last, in a field led by Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Nicola Olyslagers but one where the Briton firmly belongs among the challengers.
In the sprints, medal chances look more slender. Dina Asher-Smith and Amy Hunt could capitalise on a weakened field – with Tia Clayton and Gabrielle Thomas absent – to slip onto the podium. Yet the global standard remains formidable, with the likes of Julien Alfred and Melissa Jefferson Wooden expected to dominate the women’s 100m and 200m. A bronze is realistic, but would require peak form and a flawless execution on the day. For the men, Zharnel Hughes – a 9.91 performer this season – carries Britain’s best hopes, though he will start behind the favourites: Letsile Tebogo, Noah Lyles and Jamaica’s formidable new quartet of Thompson, Blake, Seville and Levell.
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