Shawn Price
September 15, 2025
TOKYO – Four Arkansas alums have advanced to finals in their respective events at the World Championships inside Japan National Stadium. The Razorback crew includes Nikki Hiltz (1,500m), Romaine Beckford (high jump), Sandi Morris (pole vault), and Tina Šutej (pole vault).
Pole vault qualifying on Monday had Morris and Šutej reaching the final as both cleared 15-1 inch (4.60) to join 12 other vaulters in the final on Sept. 17. A third Arkansas alum in the pole vault field, Elien Vekemans of Belgium, tied for 17th in the qualifying round with a 14-7.25 (4.45) clearance.
After easing through the prelims of the 1,500m, Hiltz advanced to the final with a 4:07.04 to place third in the second of two semifinal heats on Sunday evening. Another American in the final is Sinclaire Johnson, who placed fourth in the first semifinal with a 4:01.80.
In the 20-year history of the World Outdoor Championships, United States runners have produced seven medals with two gold, four silver, and one bronze. At the initial World Championships gold was attained by Mary Decker. Then Jenny Simpson earned gold in 2011, followed by silver medals in 2013 and 2017.
Alum Romaine Beckford advanced to Tuesday’s high jump final with a clearance of 7-4.5 (2.25) to join 12 others who qualified with the same height.
In the 100m hurdle semifinal, alum Ackera Nugent placed third in the first of three heats in 12.63, but was ninth overall by a tenth of a second and didn’t advance to the final. Nugent, who has a best of 12.30 this season, hit hurdle nine during the race.
American Grace Stark won the opening semifinal heat in 12.37 and collected bronze in the final with a time of 12.34. Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland registered a national record of 12.24 for gold in the final after posting a 12.44 as runner-up in the first heat.
Also during Monday’s morning session, Yaseen Abdalla placed 21st in the marathon, covering the 26.2-mile distance in 2:13:32. Abdalla reached the halfway point in 1:05:20, which placed him 24th at that stage of the race.
Just three-tenths of a second separated the top two marathon finishers with Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania edging out Germany’s Amanal Petros as both were clocked in 2:09:48. Italy’s Iliass Aouani collected bronze in 2:09:53.
In long jump qualifying, Carey McLeod finished 20th with a mark of 25-9.5 (7.86). The last mark to reach the 12-person final was 26-2.25 (7.98).
Another pair of Jamaicans reached the long jump final, producing the leading mark of 27-2 (8.28) by Tajay Gayle and the fourth best mark of 26-9 (8.15) from Nikaoli Williams.
Sunday evening prelims in the 400m had four Razorbacks reaching the semifinal round on Sept. 16.
Chris Bailey won the third of six heats in 44.49 over a 44.54 from Australian Reece Holder and a 44.56 for Muzala Samukonga of Zambia. Two other Americans in the field, Jacory Patterson (43.90) and Khaleb McRae (44.25), posted the fastest pair of times in the prelim round while Vernon Norwood advanced with a 44.55.
In the women’s 400m prelim all three Razorbacks earned automatic qualification to the semifinal. Leading the trio was Nickisha Pryce with a 49.91 heat victory while Amber Anning finished second with a 49.96 to a 49.85 for Marileidy Paulino of Dominican Republic. Isabella Whittaker clocked 50.82 as runner-up to Netherland’s Lieke Klaver (50.32).
AloJapan.com