Chinese track and field beauty Wu Yanni embraces challenges at world championships

"I didn’t have the ability to qualify for the tournament, but thanks to my ranking, I could participate in Tokyo. For me, that is a consolation and a precious opportunity," Wu said in an interview with World Athletics on Wednesday.

On Sept. 5, World Athletics announced the official participant list of the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

The China track and field team will send 73 athletes, including 41 men and 32 women, to compete in the tournament. Wu, 28, is the only Chinese athlete participating in the women's 100 m hurdles. She did not reach the standard time of 12.73 seconds but qualified as the wild card thanks to her place in the world's top 40.

"I was calm," Wu recalled the moment she learned that she had secured a ticket to Tokyo. "I'm very grateful and appreciate this opportunity."

Chinese star hurdler Wu Yanni. Photo by Instagram/@wuyanni_jennie

Of the 49 athletes competing in the women's 100 m hurdles in Tokyo, most come from Europe and the U.S., where athletics background is strong. Wu understands the challenge but stays positive.

"I know I have a big gap with the world's top athletes," she said. "But that doesn't scare me. The scary thing is knowing there is a gap and not moving forward. I see that as motivation. If they can do well, I believe I can too."

Wu believes that a relaxed mindset will help her enjoy the tournament, rather than feeling pressured.

"This is my first time participating in the world championships," she added. "I will give it my all, regardless of the result. Just being able to participate is already a breakthrough for me."

Wu has dominated the domestic scene, winning the national women's 100 m hurdles six times in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Her best time in this event is 12.74 seconds, achieved at the national championships on June 30, 2024, in Shandong, China. This is also the best result for an Asian hurdler in 2024.

She ended a decade of China not having an athlete compete in the women's 100 m hurdles at the world championships. Wu Shuijiao was the last Chinese athlete to compete in this event at the 2015 World Championships, clocking 13.06 in the semifinals, failing to reach the final.

The 2025 World Athletics Championships will take place from Sept. 13 to 21 at the National Stadium of Japan in Tokyo. The tournament will feature 49 events, including running, jumping, javelin throw, triathlon, marathon and speed walking. The event is considered an important preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I hope to beat the 12.80 seconds I achieved in Tokyo last year. For me, just surpassing myself is considered a success," Wu said.