A series of injuries have forced Rhasidat Adeleke to end her 2025 season and withdraw from next month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Adeleke last raced at the London Diamond League back on July 19th, finishing fourth over the 200m, and her absence from any competition since then had already cast some doubt over her Tokyo participation.
In a statement on her Instagram account, Adeleke said: “This season has tested me in more ways than I ever anticipated. Lingering injuries & continuous setbacks made it increasingly difficult to train & perform at the level I expect from myself.
“Following yet another recent roadblock, I’m saddened to share that I’m unable to finish out this season.
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“I’ll take this time to heal, recover and do what’s necessary so I can show up next season as my best self, mind and body. I’m so grateful to everyone that shows me unwavering support. It means the world. Much love – R”
It has been a difficult season for Adeleke, who turns 23 later this month. Qualified in the 200m and 400m for Tokyo, she was looking to improve on her fourth-place finish in the 400m at the Paris Olympics and the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. She was also set to be a key member of the Irish relay teams in both the mixed 4x400m and the women’s 4x400m.
She withdrew from the National Track and Field Championships at the start of this month, stating at the time she was continuing “to focus on recovery following recent race exertions.”
At the start of July, Adeleke was also a late withdrawal from the 400m at the Monaco Diamond League, where she won last year in 49.17 seconds. This summer she’s been well short of breaking 50 seconds in her three 400m Diamond League appearances so far.
From the outset of this particularly long season, Adeleke has also been talking about the importance of timing and when she should be peaking. However the injury setbacks have now proven too difficult to overcome to allow her to compete at her best in Tokyo.
