Five stars who could light up the World Athletics Championships

American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won bronze at the Olympics last year but has returned in 2025 looking an altogether different prospect.

If Niels Laros was a stock, you'd break to bank to buy it. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

In the land of the rising sun, a slew of new stars looks set to emerge. Over 2000 athletes are headed to Tokyo this week for the World Athletics Championships, which begin on Saturday, but who will shine brightest? Most likely, it’ll be a mix of household names and emerging talents whose potential has now fully come to fruition. Head on the chopping block: These are the five who I believe will most light up the stage.

Niels Laros – Men’s 1500m/5000m