Bahrain Stars Target World Athletics Championships Glory

Olympic champions Yavi and Salwa lead a strong Bahraini squad to Tokyo 

The Bahrain Athletics Association has confirmed its squad for the 20th World Athletics Championships, taking place in Tokyo from September 13 to 21. Around 2,000 athletes from 200 countries are expected to compete.

Leading the delegation is Olympic gold medallist Winfred Yavi, the 3,000m steeplechase champion who set a new Olympic record of 8:52.76 in Paris 2024 and won World Championship gold in Budapest  with 8:54.29.

Salwa Eid Naser, silver medallist in the 400m at Paris 2024, is another standout. She is a former world champion (Doha 2019, 48.14) and recently claimed first place in the 400m at the 2025 Diamond League in Zurich (48.70), making her a strong contender for the podium.

Also among the women’s squad is Adeku Olkemi, a leading 400m hurdles athlete in Asia, having won the 2014 Asian Games (55.77) and 2015 Asian Championship (54.31). Olkemi was ranked world number one in 2015 but missed Paris 2024 due to injury. Bahrain’s women’s team also includes middle-distance runner Nelly (800m) and marathoners Jompa, Chitai, and Taigest.

On the men’s side, Berhanu Belau will compete in the 5,000m.