Mogadishu, Somalia — With the 2025 World Athletics Championships set for Tokyo from September 13-21, Somalia’s Abdullahi Jama Mohamed is stepping up his preparations, hoping to turn his recent momentum into success on the global stage. The men’s 5,000 metres, Mohamed’s signature event, will see heats on 19 September and the final on 21 September at the Japan National Stadium.
Mohamed burst into the spotlight in 2024 when he won silver in the men’s 5,000 metres at the African Games in Accra, ending Somalia’s 35-year wait for a major athletics medal. Since then, he has steadily built on that achievement, setting a national record of 13:22.38 in the 5,000m this May and recording a strong half-marathon time of 1:00:32 in Saudi Arabia last December. These results highlight his rare blend of speed and endurance.
In Tokyo, he will be up against some of the biggest names in global distance running. Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, reigning world and Olympic champion, remains the man to beat with his devastating finishing kick. The American duo of Grant Fisher and Nico Young, both capable of running under 13 minutes, are among the year’s fastest and pose serious threats. Ethiopia will field seasoned stars like Hagos Gebriwhet alongside rising talents such as Biniam Mehary, while Sweden’s Andreas Almgren is also expected to challenge for a podium spot.
Mohamed’s preparations focus on sharpening his speed while maintaining stamina, essential to cope with tactical surges in a field stacked with proven medalists. While he faces challenges in securing top-level facilities and support, his determination has already lifted Somali athletics onto the continental stage. Whether or not he reaches the podium in Tokyo, his presence among the world’s elite marks a historic moment for his nation.