Antonio Watson created history by winning the 400m gold at the 2023 Budapest World Championships, Jamaica’s first such honour in more than 20 years. But his path since that day has also been littered with obstacles, from injuries to a difficult 2024 season. But as Watson prepares to defend his pursuit title at the World Championships in Tokyo 2025, his tale of resurgence is one of resilience, determination and increased competition.
Antonio Watson’s journey since his stunning 2023 World Championship 400m gold has been filled with setbacks and comebacks. After struggling with injuries and disappointing performances in 2024, including failing to make it past the Olympic Trials, Antonio Watson showed signs of recovery in 2025. He ran a season’s best of 44.89 seconds at the Brussels Diamond League, building confidence for the upcoming Tokyo World Championships. As fierce competition intensifies, it remains uncertain whether Watson can defend his title, but his resilience continues to inspire. Will he overcome the rising stars in the 400m? Time will tell.
The 2024 Season: Struggle and Setback
The scenes in Budapest raised expectations of Watson through the roof. Fans and analysts expected an even bigger return, but the 2024 season was less than ideal. Watson’s top time in 2017 was 45.61 seconds at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, not quite the performance many were hoping for when a potential world-beater had gone pro.
For one reason or another (he was looking to make an Olympic team), Watson raced in the Olympic Trials and did not make it out of his first-round heat, an obviously frustrating result for him. After his 2024 year was over, Antonio Watson decided to concentrate on getting ready for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo in the hope of rebooting himself.
Wildcard Advantage
Watson’s 2023 win secured him a wildcard place in the Tokyo 2025 World Championships. This was an important wildcard, for it allowed him to avoid the Jamaican National Championships and to concentrate on healing, and on preparing for the next world championship. It is this breathing space that has allowed him to begin to refill and polish his form without the anxiety attached to qualifying via the national trials.
The Comeback: Early 2025 Performances
2025 season, Watson opened his 2025 season with a mediocre performance in the Camperdown Classic due to injuries, as he won the 400m in 46.03 seconds. He also competed at the Jamaica National Championships and became champion in the 400m with a time of 46.22 seconds. And while these were good times, they were not in the frame against the best sprinters in the world, which at the time was sub 45.00 seconds from the majority of the top performers in the world.
Watson’s times were slower – 3:42.31 for 800m (second in his heat) and 6:53.95 for 1500m – but his runs were indicators that he was on his way back after an up-and-down season. The message was clear: he would have to step up his game if he wanted to compete at the top.
A Step Closer to Form: The Ed Murphey Classic
Watson showed marked improvement when he took to the 400m at the Ed Murphey Classic. Watson won again with a time of 45.24 seconds, his quickest time since he won World Championship gold in 2023. It was a pivotal point in his recovery, for it showed him that the distance between his 2023 self and his present abilities could be bridged.
The win at the Ed Murphey Classic was crucial for Watson’s confidence and momentum as he prepared for the bigger international meets to strive toward during the rest of the season.
Brussels Diamond League: The Key Moment
Watson’s season turned around in a major way at the Brussels Diamond League. In the pre-program 400m race, Watson was invited as a competitor and had a chance to test himself in different fashion on one of the world’s quickest surfaces. Watson stepped onto the starting line, determined and ready to make the race his own.
He didn’t disappoint. Watson produced a sensational Season’s Best of 44.89s, breaking his season’s record. It was a huge confidence builder, and it was clear Watson wasn’t just recover but could compete with the best in the world again. His result in Brussels showed that he had the capacity to vie with the leading sprinters who had been dominating in the years prior.
Growing Competition in the Men’s 400-Meter Opportunity
Everything changed for the 400m when Quincy Hall won the 400m at the 2024 Paris Olympics in 43.40. The team was completely shaken up and it has been even more competitive since. The benchmark has reset, and now sub-44 is consider the new standar for winning major championships.
This increasing strength in depth has left Watson knowing he will have to up his game if he is to retain his World Championship title in Tokyo. He has made promising early progress in Brussels, but on this display, Watson will have to run at this level – or faster – regularly if he wants to remain among the world’s best.
Will Watson Defend His Title in Tokyo 2025?
Heading into the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, one question looms large: Can Antonio Watson defend his World 400m title? The men’s 400-meter race has been a scattershot exercise, (…) there are several sprinters on the rise and a handful of vets capable of winning the gold.
Watson has made steady gains in 2025 and his performance in the final stop on the Brussels Diamond League circuit earlier this month looks as though he will be among the contenders for another title. But the competition from sprinters such as Quincy Hall and a bunch of sub-44 guys will make the task difficult for Watson to achieve a repeat performance.
That being said, Watson’s attitude and reformation of late certainly make him a medal prospect. It remains to seen whether he can rediscover his 2023 success, and that will be down to his capacity to keep getting better and performing at the highest level when it counts.
Conclusion
Antonio Watson’s return to the court has been one of perseverance and optimism. But from his disappointment in 2024, Watson’s desire to rebound has always been obvious. And as he gears up for the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, his collective journey will be an enduring source of inspiration for athletes everywhere.
Whether Watson manages to hold onto his World Championship from last year or not, one thing is for sure: his fighting spirit in the face of adversity has left an indelible mark, and the tale of his 2019 season will serve as a future inspiration to sprinters all around the globe.
What Do You Think?
Do you think Antonio Watson can overcome the competition and retain his world champion crown, Tokyo 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
