For the first time, Canada will send four defending champions to the World Athletics Championships, headlining a 59-athlete roster for Tokyo 2025.
Historic Canadian Lineup Announced
Canada will send four reigning world champions to the World Athletics Championships for the first time in history. Athletics Canada confirmed Thursday that hammer throwers Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers, 800-metre runner Marco Arop, and decathlete Pierce LePage headline a 59-member roster bound for Tokyo from September 13–21.
Athletes Leading the Charge
The group of defending champions represents Canada’s growing global presence in track and field. Katzberg, from Nanaimo, B.C., and Rogers, from Richmond, B.C., are both reigning Olympic and world champions in hammer throw. Edmonton’s Arop, who earned Olympic silver in Paris last year, will look to defend his world title in the 800 metres. LePage, from Whitby, Ont., returns after missing the Paris Games due to injury but enters Tokyo as the defending decathlon champion.
Where the Competition Will Unfold
Tokyo will host the 2025 World Athletics Championships, welcoming elite athletes from around the globe. For Canadian fans, the event offers another chance to see Olympic sprint relay champions Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney, and Jerome Blake compete, alongside medal hopefuls Damian Warner, Moh Ahmed, and Sarah Mitton.
Why This Year Is Significant
Never before has Canada entered the championships with this level of defending talent. The achievement underscores the nation’s rise in international athletics, following medal breakthroughs at both the 2023 Worlds in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Athletics Canada’s Olympic head coach Glenroy Gilbert said the squad is prepared for the challenge: “It’s a tall order, but our athletes are more than capable of delivering.”
How Canada Plans to Compete
The 59-member roster is strategically built with both seasoned champions and emerging stars. Veterans like Warner, a 2021 Olympic decathlon gold medallist, bring experience, while younger athletes such as Christopher Morales Williams and Gabriela DeBues-Stafford add depth. Canada’s mix of strength in field events, middle-distance races, and relays is designed to maximize medal opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The championships will be a test not only of athletic performance but also of Canada’s ability to sustain its recent momentum on the global stage. With four defending champions, Olympic relay winners, and several rising contenders, Team Canada enters Tokyo 2025 with its strongest squad yet — and with history already made before the competition begins.
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