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On 26 August 2025, UK Athletics revealed the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB & NI) squad selected for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, taking place from 13–21 September 2025. With a clear focus on podium potential and top-eight finishes, the team reflects a strategic blend of experience and emerging talent ready to compete on the world’s biggest athletics stage.

Performance and Strategy – A New Era for Engagement

The squad represents a deliberate selection policy by UK Athletics, with emphasis on athletes who have demonstrated consistent form throughout the season or possess realistic medal prospects. Automatic selections include 2023 World Champions Josh Kerr (1500m) and Katarina Johnson-Thompson (heptathlon), both of whom received wildcard entries by virtue of their previous titles.

Middle-distance events are especially strong, with the women’s 800m team featuring Olympic medallist Keely Hodgkinson, Jemma Reekie, and Georgia Bell, all capable of competing in global finals. In the men’s 1500m, Kerr is joined by a powerful trio: Jake Wightman, Neil Gourley, and Elliot Giles, making it one of Britain’s most competitive line-ups.

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Power in the Sprints and Field

Sprint events are another highlight of the squad. The women’s 100m and 200m include powerhouses like Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, and Amy Hunt. The men’s equivalent features Zharnel Hughes, Jeremiah Azu, and Romell Glave, all of whom have demonstrated impressive form during the 2025 season.

In the 400m, Matt Hudson-Smith leads the men’s squad alongside Charlie Dobson and Samuel Reardon, while the women’s side includes Amber Anning, Yemi Mary John, and Victoria Ohuruogu. These athletes not only compete as individuals but also form part of the country’s highly competitive relay squads.

On the field, the team’s strength continues. Lawrence Okoye returns in the discus following a season-best throw of 70.76m, a new British record. Pole vaulter Molly Caudery and long jumper Jazmin Sawyers add to the medal prospects, while the combined events see Johnson-Thompson return with high expectations.

Final Selections and Relay Focus

The current team announcement includes provisional selections based on world rankings, but further updates are expected on 1 September 2025 following confirmation of final qualification quotas. Some athletes remain under review, with their places contingent on the final World Athletics ranking cut-offs.

Britain’s tradition in relay success is reflected in the inclusion of both men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m teams, where medal ambitions are realistic. With athletes like Asher-Smith, Neita, and Hudson-Smith involved, both speed and experience are on the team’s side.

Depth, Development, and Future Stars

What sets this squad apart is the depth across disciplines. From distance runners like Innes FitzGerald (5000m) and Calli Hauger-Thackery (10,000m), to hurdlers such as Alastair Chalmers and Seamus Derbyshire, the team showcases a new generation of athletes emerging on the global stage.

The Championships also provide a key opportunity for athletes to measure themselves ahead of future milestones – notably the Paris 2026 European Championships and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. For many, Tokyo represents a crucial stepping stone in their athletic development.

Conclusion

With the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo fast approaching, the GB & NI team stands ready to compete with purpose, resilience, and no shortage of ambition. From track to field, sprints to endurance events, this year’s squad embodies the progress British Athletics has made in recent years.

For fans watching from home, the Championships offer more than just sporting spectacle – they offer a sense of national pride and connection to one of the world’s most thrilling sporting events.