Canada sends top athletes including De Grasse, Rogers, and Arop to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, aiming for podium success.
Global Stage Set for Canadians
The World Athletics Championships begin Saturday in Tokyo — Friday evening in Canadian time zones — with Canada sending a strong roster of contenders. The event brings together the world’s best in track and field, and Canadian athletes are looking to extend a historic run of international success.
Rising Momentum in Hammer Throw
Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg enter the championships as Olympic champions and former world title holders. Rogers, 26, is the clear favourite after winning eight of nine events this year. Katzberg, 23, opened his season with five straight victories before finishing runner-up in recent meets. Both aim to solidify Canada’s dominance in hammer throw.
Arop Chasing Middle-Distance Glory
Marco Arop, 27 this month, lines up in the men’s 800 metres as the reigning world champion. The Edmonton native narrowly missed Olympic gold in Paris, falling short in a photo finish against Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi. With consistent top-three Diamond League finishes this season, Arop remains among the favourites.
Decathlon Duo Face Uncertainty
Damian Warner and Pierce LePage, both past champions, arrive with more questions than answers. Warner, 35, struggled earlier this season with a sixth-place finish in Austria. LePage, 29, is still recovering from back surgery after a fall cut short his last major competition. Their performances will reveal whether Canada’s decathlon window remains open.
Relay Team Seeks Another Upset
Canada’s men’s 4x100m relay team, led by seven-time Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse, returns to defend its Olympic crown. After shocking the U.S. in Paris, the squad must once again rely on precise exchanges to overcome faster individual sprinters. The Americans remain favourites, but Canada has proven capable of seizing opportunities on the biggest stage.
Additional Medal Contenders
Sarah Mitton, a two-time indoor world champion in shot put, is chasing her first outdoor gold after near misses this season. Veteran Moh Ahmed looks to extend his medal chances in long-distance races, while race walker Evan Dunfee is a double podium threat after breaking the world record in the 35km event earlier this year. Rising star Savannah Sutherland, 22, adds excitement in the women’s 400m hurdles after a record-breaking NCAA season.
Why It Matters
With four defending world champions and a new generation of talent, Canada enters Tokyo with momentum and ambition. For fans back home, the championships offer not only a chance to watch household names like De Grasse but also a glimpse of the country’s next athletic stars.
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