TORUŃ, POLAND, March 20–22 — Team USA’s two women’s golds at the twenty-first World Indoor Championships came in the meet’s first and last events. Chase Jackson struck first on the infield.
The two-time outdoor world shot champion shrugged off a worrying but ultimately treatable rib injury in her last training session before leaving for Poland and finally added a World Indoor gold to her collection at the start of the first day’s evening session.
After a lackluster 60-2 (18.34) opener, Jackson took the lead with 65-6 (19.96) in the second stanza and then clinched the gold with 66-1 (20.14) in the fourth round, her only three valid efforts.
After World Indoor silver in 2022 and then a brace of bronzes in ’24 and ’25, now that Jackson has reached the top of the mountain in the under-a-roof side of the sport, she signaled that Toruń may be her last ever indoor meeting.
“This is my indoor retirement. I probably won’t throw indoors anymore,” said Jackson, who prefers the outdoor shot wars. “Today, it was hard for me to be ready. It was 15 athletes competing and it takes a long time to throw.… When I was leading, I wanted to stay warm, which was a bit challenging.”
Jackson won from Canada’s ’25 WIC winner Sarah Mitton who took silver this time with 64-10¾ (19.78) while a 64-9¾ (19.75) NR by Nebraska’s NCAA indoor champion Axelina Johansson saw the Swede finish a surprise 3rd.
In the stacked competition, several stars struggled to find their best form — including ’24 Olympic and ’25 WC winners Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany and Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands, who finished 5th and 4th respectively.
British pole vaulter Molly Caudery pitched in for one of three golds won by British women in the meet. Caudery — the 26-year-old ’24 gold medalist — was along with Slovenia’s Tina Šutej just one of two among the nine vaulters who attempted 15-9 (4.80) to go clear. Both did so on their first attempts, at that stage neither vaulter having a failure to their name.
The Briton then went well clear on her second attempt at 15-11 (4.85) while Šutej had three valiant but unsuccessful attempts at that height. That left the Arkansas alum, who won NCAA indoor titles back in 2011 and ’12, to take home World Indoor silver as she did in 2025.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh was flawless up to and including 6-7 (2.01) in the high jump to regain the world indoor title she previously won in 2022.
The Ukrainian then had the bar raised to 6-9 (2.06) in a bid to improve the meet record set by Stefka Kostadinova at the very first official World Indoor Champs in 1985. Kostadinova is, of course, the woman Mahuchikh unseated as WR-holder in ’24, but her three goes at lifting another of the Bulgarian’s records here were unconvincing attempts.
Three other women had no fouls up to 6-5¾ (1.99) but couldn’t negotiate 6-7 so Ukraine’s Yulia Levchenko, Australia’s 2-time defending champion Nicola Olyslagers and Serbia’s Angelina Topic all squeezed onto the second rung of the podium to get their silver medals.
Cuba’s Leyanis Pérez, the ’25 WC winner, defended her TJ crown from Nanjing in emphatic fashion, going out to 48-10 (14.88) with her opener and then improving to an indoor PR of 49-¾ (14.95) with her second effort.
Game over?
Not quite because WR-holder Yulimar Rojas, having her first indoor season since ’22, bounded out to 48-9 (14.86) in the fourth round.
However, the Venezuelan who dominated the event between 2017 to 2023 — taking all 4 world outdoor titles in that time as well as two World Indoor golds to add to the one she won in 2016 — isn’t yet back to her previously regular 15-meter-plus form. Rojas’s march back towards full recovery from a left Achilles tendon injury in April ’24 continues and she could not go farther in the final two rounds.
Portugal’s Agate De Sousa won an entertaining long jump final for her first global medal, jumping 22-8½ (6.92) in the fifth round to surpass the 22-5¼ (6.84) Italy’s Larissa Iapichino had laid out minutes earlier. De Sousa’s distance measured 2 inches (5cm) short of her world lead from last month in Madrid.
Iapichino improved her distance but not her silver medal standing to 22-6½ (6.87) in the final round.
WOMEN’S HIGH JUMP RESULTS
(March 20)
1. Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukr) 6-7 (2.01)
(6-4, 6-5, 6-6¼, 6-7, 6-9 [xxx]) (1.93, 1.96, 1.99, 2.01, 2.06 [xxx]);
=2. Yuliya Levchenko (Ukr) 6-6¼ (1.99)
(6-¾, 6-2¼, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6¼, 6-7 [xxx]) (1.85, 1.89, 1.93, 1.96, 1.99, 2.01 [xxx]);
=2. Nicola Olyslagers (Aus) 6-6¼ (1.99) =PR
(6-2¼, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6¼, 6-7 [xxx]) (1.89, 1.93, 1.96, 1.99, 2.01 [xxx]);
=2. Angelina Topić (Ser) 6-6¼ (1.99)
(6-2¼, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6¼, 6-7 [xxx]) (1.89, 1.93, 1.96, 1.99, 2.01 [xxx]);
5. Maria Żodzik (Pol) 6-4 (1.93)
(6-¾, 6-2¼, 6-4, 6-5 [xxx]) (1.85, 1.89, 1.93, 1.96 [xxx]);
6. Louise Ekman (Swe) 6-4 (1.93)
(6-¾, 6-2¼, 6-4 [2], 6-5 [xxx]) (1.85, 1.89, 1.93 [2], 1.96 [xxx]);
7. Eleanor Patterson (Aus) 6-4 (1.93)
(6-2¼ [2], 6-4 [2], 6-5 [xxx]) (1.89 [2], 1.93 [2], 1.96 [xxx]);
8. Imke Onnen (Ger) 6-2¼ (1.89); 9. Charity Hufnagel (US) 6-2¼; 10. Marija Vuković (Mont) 6-¾ (1.85); 10. Lamara Distin (Jam) 6-¾ (1.85).
WOMEN’S POLE VAULT RESULTS
(March 22)
1. Molly Caudery (GB) 15-11 (4.85)
(14-3¼, 14-11, 15-5, 15-9, 15-11 [2]) (4.35, 4.55, 4.70, 4.80, 4.85 [2]);
2. Tina Šutej (Slo) 15-9 (4.80)
(14-3¼, 14-11, 15-5, 15-9, 15-11 [xxx]) (4.35, 4.55, 4.70, 4.80, 4.85 [xxx]);
=3. Imogen Ayris (NZ) 15-5 (4.70)
=3. Angelica Moser (Swi) 15-5 (4.70) 15-5 (4.70)
=3. Amálie Švábíková (CzR) 15-5 (4.70)
(all 3—14-3¼, 14-11, 15-5, 15-9 [xxx]) (4.35, 4.55, 4.70, 4.80 [xxx]);
6. Eliza McCartney (NZ) 15-5 (4.70) (14-3¼, 14-11, 15-5 [2], 15-9 [xxx]) (4.35, 4.55, 4.70 [2], 4.80 [xxx]);
=7. Juliana Campos (Bra) 15-5 (4.70) PR
(14-3¼, 14-11 [2], 15-5 [2], 15-9 [xxx]) (4.35, 4.55 [2], 4.70 [2], 4.80 [xxx]);
=7. Marie-Julie Bonnin (Fra) 15-5 (4.70)
(14-11 [2], 15-5 [2], 15-9 [xxx]) (4.55 [2], 4.70 [2], 4.80 [xxx]);
9. Jessica Mercier (US) 15-5 (4.70) PR (14-3¼ [2], 14-11 [2], 15-5 [2], 15-9 [xxx]) (4.35 [2], 4.55 [2], 4.70 [2], 4.80 [xxx]);
10. Jacqueline Otchere (Ger) 14-11 (4.55); 11. Wilma Murto (Fin) 14-11 (4.55); 12. Chloe Timberg (US) 14-3¼ (4.35); 13. Marleen Mülla (Est) 14-3¼ (4.35).
(best-ever mark-for-place: 9)
WOMEN’S LONG JUMP RESULTS
(March 22)
1. Agate De Sousa (Por) 22-8½ (6.92)
(22-1, f, 22-4½, 22-4¼, 22-8½, 21-10) (6.73, f, 6.82, 6.81, 6.92, 6.65);
2. Larissa Iapichino (Ita) 22-6½ (6.87)
(21-3½, 21-11½, f, 21-10¼, 22-5¼, 22-6½) (6.49, 6.69, f, 6.66, 6.84, 6.87);
3. Natalia Linares (Col) 22-3¾ (6.80) =NR
(22-3½, 22-3¾, 21-7¼, 21-10, 21-8¼, 21-9½) (6.79, 6.80, 6.58, 6.65, 6.61, 6.64);
4. Khaddi Sagnia (Swe) 22-3 (6.78)
(22-3, 22-1¾, 22-2¼, 21-11¾, f, 21-3¼) (6.78, 6.75, 6.76, 6.70, f, 6.48);
5. Nia Robinson (Jam) 22-1¾ (6.75)
(21-4, 21-5¼, 22-1¾, f, f, f) (6.50, 6.53, 6.75, f, f, f);
6. Ramona Elena Verman (Rom) 22-¾ (6.72) PR
(21-8, 21-8¼, 21-7¼, 21-6¾, 22-¾, 20-11¼) (6.60, 6.61, 6.58, 6.57, 6.72, 6.38);
7. Jasmine Moore (US) 21-11¾ (6.70)
(21-11¾, f, f, f, 21-4¾) (6.70, f, f, f, 6.52);
8. Monae’ Nichols (US) 21-10¼ (6.66)
(21-5½, 21-10¼, f, 21-4¾, f) (6.54, 6.66, f, 6.52, f);
9. Anna Matuszewicz (Pol) 21-4 (6.50); 10. Molly Palmer (GB) 21-3½ (6.49); 11. Alina Rotaru-Kottmann (Rom) 21-2 (6.45); 12. Irati Mitxelena (Spa) 21-1¼ (6.43); 13. Milica Gardašević (Ser) 21-1¼ (6.43); 14. Alysbeth Felix (PR) 20-10¾ (6.37); 15. Tyra Gittens-Spotsville (Tri) 20-9 (6.32); 16. Annik Kälin (Swi) 20-8½ (6.31).
WOMEN’S TRIPLE JUMP RESULTS
(March 21)
1. Leyanis Pérez (Cub) 49-¾ (14.95) PR (=WL)
(48-10, 49-¾, 47-6½, 48-5½, f, f) (14.88, 14.95, 14.49, 14.77, f, f);
2. Yulimar Rojas (Ven) 48-9 (14.86)
(f, 47-8½, f, 48-9, f, 48-4¾) (f, 14.54, f, 14.86, f, 14.75);
3. Saly Sarr (Sen) 48-2¾ (14.70) PR
(47-3½, 47-10, 47-7¼, 48-2¾, 48-¾, 47-6¼) (14.41, 14.58, 14.51, 14.70, 14.65, 14.48);
4. Liadagmis Povea (Cub) 47-3½ (14.41)
(46-8¼, 47-3½, 46-10¾, f, 46-6¾, 45-5¼) (14.23, 14.41, 14.29, f, 14.19, 13.85);
5. Thea LaFond (Dom) 47-2¼ (14.38)
(46-11, f, 47-2¼, 47-¼, 47-1½, 47-2¼) (14.30, f, 14.38, 14.33, 14.36, 14.38);
6. Ivana Španović (Ser) 47-1 (14.35)
(47-1, 45-6¼, 45-2½, 45-3, 46-½, 46-1½) (14.35, 13.87, 13.78, 13.79, 14.03, 14.06);
7. Jasmine Moore (US) 47-¼ (14.33) (47-¼, 46-2½, 45-11¾, 46-0, 45-8½) (14.33, 14.08, 14.01, 14.02, 13.93);
8. Aleksandra Nacheva (Bul) 46-1¼ (14.05) PR; 9. Elena Andreea Taloș (Rom) 45-10½ (13.98); 10. Sharifa Davronova (Uzb) 45-3¾ (13.81); 11. Neja Filipič (Slo) 43-9¾ (13.35); 12. Rūta Kate Lasmane (Lat) 43-5 (13.23); 13. Alexia Ioana Dospin (Rom) 43-3¾; 14. Charisma Taylor (Bah) 43-¼ (13.11); 15. Georgina Forde-Wells (GB) 42-10¼ (13.06); 16. Ryann Porter (US) 42-8¼ (13.01); 17. Shantae Foreman (Jam) 40-6¼ (12.35).
WOMEN’S SHOT RESULTS
(March 20)
1. Chase Jackson (US) 66-1 (20.14) (x, 5 A)
(60-2½, 65-6, f, 66-1, f, f) (18.35, 19.96, f, 20.14, f, f);
2. Sarah Mitton (Can) 64-10¾ (19.78)
(64-2½, 64-3¾, 63-10½, 64-10¾, f, 64-10¾) (19.57, 19.60, 19.47, 19.78, f, 19.78);
3. Axelina Johansson (Swe-Nb) 64-9¾ (19.75) NR, CR (old CR 64-8½/19.72 Johannson’ ’25)
(61-0, 64-9¾, f, f, 62-6½, 64-1¼) (18.59, 19.75, f, f, 19.06, 19.54);
4. Jessica Schilder (Neth) 64-5 (19.63)
(f, 63-4¾, f, 64-1¼, 64-5, f) (f, 19.32, f, 19.54, 19.63, f);
5. Yemisi Ogunleye (Ger) 63-10¼ (19.46)
(63-10¼, 60-4, 62-11¼, f, 61-11½, 63-6¾) (19.46, 18.39, 19.18, f, 18.88, 19.37);
6. Fanny Roos (Swe) 62-2½ (18.96)
(60-1¼, 62-1¼, 61-11½, 60-10¾, 62-2½, 60-4¾) (18.32, 18.93, 18.88, 18.56, 18.96, 18.41);
7. Abria Smith (US) 61-10½ (18.86)
(61-2¾, 59-1¼, 59-8¼, 61-10½, f) (18.66, 18.01, 18.19, 18.86, f);
8. Auriol Dongmo (Por) 61-9 (18.82)
(59-9½, 60-4½, 61-9, f, f) (18.22, 18.40, 18.82, f, f);
9. Jessica Inchude (Por) 61-7 (18.77); 10. Katharina Maisch (Ger) 60-10¾ (18.56); 11. Jorinde van Klinken (Neth) 59-3 (18.06); 12. Ana da Silva (Bra) 57-¾ (17.39); 13. Emilia Kangas (Fin) 55-11¼ (17.05); 14. Ivana Gallardo (Chl) 55-11 (17.04); 15. Tapenisa Havea (NZ) 50-10 (15.49).
