The Dutch agency, Global Sports Communication (GSC), is sending a team of 47 athletes to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, taking place from September 13 to the 21st.
Two years ago in Budapest, GSC athletes delivered an outstanding performance, collecting an impressive tally of 13 individual medals, including four golds. Building on that success, the team now heads to Tokyo eager to climb the podium once again.
Leading the charge is Faith Kipyegon, who will chase a third consecutive and fourth overall world title in the women’s 1500m, while also defending her 5000m crown. Kipyegon’s 2025 season has already been historic: she lowered her own world 1500m record to 3:48.68 at the Prefontaine Classic, clocked the fastest mile ever at the Breaking4 event, and posted the second-fastest times in history over both 1000m and 3000m.
Also returning as defending champion is Victor Kiplangat, who captured world marathon gold in Budapest. The Ugandan star is back on the streets of Tokyo with his sights set on another triumph.
Dutch sensation Niels Laros will contest the men’s 1500m after a breakthrough season that saw him win the Wanda Diamond Trophy in Zurich with a national record of 3:29.20. Just weeks earlier, he stunned the world by running a national record of 3:45.94 to win the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic. Laros, joined by Olympic finalist Stefan Nillessen in the 1500m, will double up in the 5000m.
Further strengthening the GSC team are 3000m steeplechase specialists Faith Cherotich, a two-time Wanda Diamond Trophy winner, and Peruth Chemutai, the Olympic champion in Tokyo and silver medallist in Paris.
Adding strength to the field events is Jessica Schilder, Wanda Diamond League shot put champion and world indoor silver medallist in Nanjing, who will be eyeing gold in Tokyo.
Other key names include 2019 world 800m champion Halimah Nakaayi, Olympic 800m bronze medallist Djamel Sedjati, Olympic and world relay champion Lieke Klaver and two-time South American champion and Chilean record-holder Martina Weil in the 400m.
