Team USA in Tokyo: Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles feature in training photos ahead of World Championships
Reigning world 100m champions Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles are featured in Team USA's training photos as preparations intensify ahead of the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.
With eight days to go until the start of the global showpiece, scheduled from September 13 to 21, countries and their best athletes have started touching down in Tokyo, with full focus on medal glory and bringing national pride.
Team USA, the world's biggest athletics powerhouse, isn't left out, as practice photos begin to emerge on social media.
Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles gun for 100m title defense
Sprint queen Sha'Carri Richardson will aim to defend her world title in Tokyo, but has yet to show the form that won her the title in Budapest in 2023.
She has not broken 11 seconds this year and withdrew before the final at the US Championships, but will compete in Tokyo courtesy of the wildcard afforded to the defending champion.
Despite her unimpressive 2025 season so far, the Paris Olympic silver medallist cannot be written off and is capable of causing an upset against fierce rivals Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Julien Alfred.
Meanwhile, in the men's 100m event, defending champion Noah Lyles will have his eyes set on winning his seventh world title and continue his reign as the world's fastest man.
On paper, Jamaican champion Kishane Thompson is in much better shape as the world leader with a blistering time of 9.75s, and he will be his biggest challenger to stop his dominance.
Likewise, Oblique Seville is one to keep an eye on for an upset, as his past few races before Tokyo have proven he's in his best career shape ever.
US champion Kenny Bednarek also a top challenger
Also in the mix as a top challenger is US champion Kenny Bednarek, who will be gunning for his first career major title and first medal in the 100m.
He clocked a blazing personal best of 9.79s to win the US trials, and if he can replicate the same measure of performance in Tokyo, it should most likely guarantee him a podium placement.