USATF Foundation Grantees Shine at Tokyo World Championships

TOKYO, JAPAN — Team USA once again demonstrated its dominance on the global stage at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The weeklong competition was marked by extraordinary performances, highlighted by one world record, nine area records, nine championship records, and 62 national records. USATF Foundation grantees played a pivotal role, contributing to an impressive medal haul across multiple disciplines.

Ryan Crouser and Katie Moon continued their reign in the field, each capturing a third consecutive international gold medal in the shot put and pole vault, respectively. Despite challenging weather conditions ranging from heavy rain to extreme heat and humidity, Team USA consistently delivered.

One of the most dramatic storylines came from Cole Hocker, who was disqualified in the 1500m but rebounded to capture gold in the 5,000m. In the 110m hurdles, three-time world champion Grant Holloway was eliminated in the semifinals, but teammate Cordell Tinch seized the opportunity, running 12.99 to secure the gold. Curtis Thompson made history in the javelin, earning bronze—the first U.S. medal in the event in 18 years.

Distance standout Nico Young capped his first professional season with 5th place in the 10,000m and 6th in the 5,000m. Grace Stark earned bronze in the 100m hurdles with a blistering 12.34. Sandi Morris completed her comeback from multiple injuries with a silver medal in the pole vault. Meanwhile, Valarie Allman captured her first World Championship gold after winning silver in 2022 and bronze in 2023.

In the marathon, Jessica McClain—daughter of USATF Foundation Board Director Scott Tonn—showed remarkable grit, leading much of the race.  Team USA teammate Susanna Sullivan finished 4th in the grueling conditions and McClain in 8th.  Clayton Young finished 9th as the top American for the men.  Team USA gave a proud showing in the multi-events with Taliyah Brooks tying for bronze and Anna Hall reaching gold in the heptathlon after bronze in 2022 and silver in 2023.  On the men’s side, Kyle Garland secured bronze in the decathlon.

Team USA’s relay squads also delivered stellar performances. After being granted a rerun due to interference, the men’s 4x400m team advanced and secured silver in the final. The men’s 4x100m, mixed 4x400m, and both women’s relays (4x100m and 4x400m) all struck gold. Middle-distance runner Sage Hurta-Klecker impressed with a 5th-place finish in the 800m, running 1:55.89 to move to #3 on the U.S. all-time list.

Rising star Cooper Lutkenhaus made history as the youngest American ever to compete at the World Championships, following his record-setting 1:42.27 in the 800m at the U.S. Outdoor Championships earlier this year.

2025 USATF Foundation Grantee Medal Performances

Stephen A. Schwarzman Grantees:

Valarie Allman – GOLD (Discus)

Christopher Bailey – SILVER (4x400m), 22^nd (400m)

Kenny Bednarek – GOLD (4x100m), SILVER (200m), 4^th (100m) 

Taliyah Brooks – BRONZE (Heptathlon)

Ryan Crouser – GOLD (Shot Put)

Rosey Effiong – GOLD (4x400m)

Kyle Garland – BRONZE (Decathlon)

Anna Hall – GOLD (Heptathlon)

Cole Hocker – GOLD (5000m), DQ (1500m)

Chase Jackson – SILVER (Shot Put)

Jasmine Jones – SILVER (400m Hurdles)

Courtney Lindsey – GOLD (4x100m), 16^th (200m), 22^nd (100m)

Jenoah McKiver – GOLD (Mixed Relay), SILVER (4x400m)

Khaleb McRae – SILVER (4x400m), 13^th (400m)

Katie Moon – GOLD (Pole Vault)

Sandi Morris – SILVER (Pole Vault)

Vernon Norwood – SILVER (4x400m), 15^th (400m)

Jacory Patterson – SILVER (4x400m), 7^th (400m)

Sha’Carri Richardson – GOLD (4x100m), 5th (100m)

Grace Stark – BRONZE (100m Hurdles)

Twanisha Terry – GOLD (4x100m), 11^th (100m)

Curtis Thompson – BRONZE (Javelin)

Cordell Tinch – GOLD (110m Hurdles)

Isabella Whittaker – GOLD (4x400m), 10^th (400m)

Kayla White – GOLD (4x100m), 17^th (100m)

Elite Athlete Development Grantees:

Ronnie Baker – GOLD (4x100m)

Bryce Deadmon – GOLD (Mixed Relay), SILVER (4x400m)

Quanera Hayes – GOLD (4x400m)

Alexis Holmes – GOLD (Mixed Relay), GOLD (4x400m)

Lynna Irby-Jackson – GOLD (Mixed Relay), GOLD (4x400m)

Jacious Sears – GOLD (4x100m)

Demarius Smith – SILVER (4x400m)

Britton Wilson – GOLD (4x400m)