Naser Sets Sights on World Title

Bahrain‘s superstar sprinter Salwa Eid Naser has touched down in Tokyo, Japan, ahead of her highly anticipated appearance at the World Athletics Championships 2025, which kicks off on Saturday. The seasoned sprinter is eyeing a triumphant return to the global stage as she begins her quest for gold in the women’s 400 metres.

Travelling alongside Naser was an impressive group of athletes, including Deborah Rodriguez from Uruguay and Liranyi Alonso from the Dominican Republic. The delegation is led by Naser’s elite track and field coach, Jose Ludwig Rubio.

Naser, who previously claimed the world championship title in 2019 and secured silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is poised to be a major contender in the women’s 400m. Her first appearance at this year’s event will be in the heats on Saturday, with the semi-finals scheduled for Monday and the final set for Wednesday next week.

The 27-year-old sprint star missed the 2023 World Championships in Budapest due to injury. Now fully recovered, Naser enters this year’s Championships on the back of a spectacular performance in Zurich, Switzerland, where she clinched her third Diamond Trophy at the Wanda Diamond League Final. There, she notably upset reigning world and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic in a thrilling race.

Naser is one of eight standout athletes representing Bahrain in Tokyo. The national roster is stacked with talent, including reigning world and Olympic champion Winfred Yavi, 2016 World Indoor Champion Kemi Adekoya, Nelly Jepkosgei, Tigest Gashaw — a former under-18 world champion — as well as Eunice Chumba and Shitaye Eshete.

On the men’s side, Birhanu Balew carries the nation’s flag as Bahrain’s lone male representative.

All eyes now turn to the Tokyo track as Salwa Eid Naser looks to reaffirm her place among the world’s elite and potentially reclaim the 400m world championship title she last held in 2019.

Team V.DIR-EM-UAE