The anticipation for the Women’s 1500m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 2025 is building, and all eyes are on Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay as she looks to reclaim her dominance in middle-distance running. After a challenging outing at the Paris Olympics, where she competed across three distances but left without a podium finish, the 28-year-old has chosen to focus solely on the 1500m for this event.
Tsegay, a two-time world champion, has already proven her prowess on the global stage. Her gold medals in the 5000m at the 2022 World Championships and 10,000m at the 2023 edition solidified her reputation as one of the sport’s most versatile athletes. Adding to her accolades, she also secured an indoor world title in the 1500m in 2022, making her a formidable contender for gold in Nanjing.
Her personal best in the 1500m is significantly faster than any of her competitors in the field, giving her a strong advantage. However, Ethiopia is not just pinning its hopes on one athlete. Teammates Diribe Welteji and Worknesh Mesele will also be in the mix, hoping to secure a podium sweep for their nation. Despite their talent, they face stiff competition from global rivals looking to disrupt Ethiopia’s dominance.
Kenya’s Susan Ejore, who delivered a strong performance at the Olympics, will be a key competitor to watch. The North American challenge is led by Heather MacLean and Shelby Houlihan, the latter returning to action after a prolonged absence. Meanwhile, Georgia Hunter Bell, a strong contender from the European circuit, seeks redemption after narrowly missing a medal at the European Indoor Championships. With renewed focus and a return to full fitness, she will be eager to challenge for a podium finish in Nanjing.
With a field packed with talent and experience, the women’s 1500m final promises to be a thrilling contest. Tsegay’s decision to concentrate on one event signals her intent to reclaim gold, but with several world-class athletes vying for the title, the race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting showdowns of the championships.
