Belgium faces limited medal prospects at World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
Four years after the Olympic Games, Tokyo is once again hosting a major sporting event with the World Athletics Championships (13–21 September). While Belgium travels to Japan with a 47-strong delegation, its medal hopes are modest.
Matching Belgium's three medals and four top-eight finishes from the athletics events at the Paris Olympics last year will be a tall order. Belgium’s chances are hampered by key absences, including marathon runner Bashir Abdi and heptathlete Noor Vidts, who respectively won silver and bronze medals in Paris.
Belgium's success will depend largely on Nafi Thiam. Even though she returned from injury just last month, the 30-year-old heptathlete remains the nation’s standout contender. Her most recent successes include a European title in Rome and a third Olympic title in Paris, and as defending world champion, she again arrives as favourite in Tokyo.
4x400m potential
Belgium will also look to the Belgian Tornados, the men’s 4x400m relay squad. Bronze medallists in 2019 and 2022, the team is undergoing transition without Kevin and Jonathan Borlée or coach Jacques Borlée. Still, with Daniel Segers, Alexander Doom and Dylan Borlée all achieving times under 45 seconds this season, the podium remains within reach.
Other names to watch include Eliott Crestan, vice world indoor champion and Belgian record holder in the 800m, 5,000m runner Isaac Kimeli and pole vaulter Ben Broeders. Doom and Segers will also chase individual final spots in the 400m, and the mixed 4x400m relay team will aim to improve on last year’s fourth place in Paris.
47 athletes
In total, 47 Belgian athletes will participate in the World Athletics Championships. For five Belgian athletes, Tokyo will mark their World Championships debut: Ilona Masson (triple jump), Yanla Ndjip Nyemeck (100m hurdles), Jana Van Lent (5,000m and 10,000m), Jente Hauttekeete (decathlon) and Daniel Segers (400m).
The World Athletics Championships take place in Tokyo from 13 to 21 September. Because of the time difference, many events will be held overnight or during the day in Belgium. Highlights of the opening weekend include the mixed 4x400m relay on Saturday, followed by the men’s and women’s 100m finals on Sunday.
Heptathlete Nafi Thiam. © BELGA PHOTO KRISTOF VAN ACCOM
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