The 2025 Track and Field World Championships are almost here, and all eyes will be on the women’s heptathlon. Fans are anticipating a major showdown as Belgium’s Nafi Thiam goes head-to-head with Team USA’s Anna Hall. Hall, ranked second in the world, currently holds the world-leading of 7,032 points, but the spotlight inevitably returns to Belgium’s multi-event legend, Thiam. Thiam holds the top ranking but has yet to complete a heptathlon this year, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the championship.
Winning Olympic gold in the heptathlon is extraordinary, yet Thiam has achieved the near-impossible by claiming the title three times in a row. Sustained excellence across seven events requires rare talent and relentless effort, qualities she has displayed consistently throughout her career. So stay tuned, as you won’t want to miss these two days of blood, sweat and tears.
But for now, let’s dive into a bit more about Thiam.
Born on August 19, 1994, in Namur, Belgium, Thiam discovered her multi-event gift early, pairing natural athleticism with a competitive drive that would set her apart. By her late teens, she was making an international impact, winning gold at the 2013 European Junior Championships and taking bronze at the 2014 European Championships at just 19.
Her global breakthrough came at the 2016 Rio Olympics. At 21, she delivered five personal bests across seven events to total 6,810 points, becoming the youngest Olympic heptathlon champion in history and the first Belgian woman to win Olympic track and field gold.
In May 2017, Thiam’s dominance was confirmed at the Hypo-Meeting in Götzis, Austria, where she scored 7,013 points, a Belgian record and the fourth-best score of all time. That performance included a 1.98m high jump and a 59.32m javelin throw. Later that year, she claimed her first World Championship gold medal.
Over the next decade, Thiam remained a near-unstoppable force. She won European titles in 2018, 2022, and 2024, defended her World Championship crown in 2019, and captured gold at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. At Paris, she sealed her third consecutive Olympic victory with a commanding 2:10.62 in the 800m, reaching 6,880 points, a historic feat in heptathlon history. She also set a world record in the pentathlon with 5,055 points and holds Belgian records in the heptathlon, pentathlon, javelin, and long jump, as well as the heptathlon high jump world record.
Beyond athletics, Thiam exemplifies excellence in all she does. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Liège in 2019 and is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Belgium, showing the same commitment and discipline off the track that she brings to every event. Her dedication to consistently giving her best mirrors the TrackGirlz value of excellence, showing up every day and reflecting her highest level of effort in all pursuits.
Now 31, Thiam faces a fresh chapter in her storied career. Hall’s world-leading score makes this contest one of the most compelling in recent memory, yet Thiam thrives under pressure. Her experience, mental toughness, and versatility turn this duel into more than a competition. It is a battle of eras, a clash between a seasoned champion and a rising star.
In a sport that demands mastery across seven events, Nafi Thiam is more than a competitor. She is the benchmark of greatness. The 2025 World Championships promise a thrilling spectacle, and the world will be watching to see if history continues in her favor.
Leave a Reply