With just 99 days to go until the world’s finest athletes converge on Tokyo for the 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships, excitement is mounting, and so is the anticipation for a truly unique reward: personalised medals for every podium finisher.
The Local Organising Committee, WCH Tokyo 25, has officially revealed the gold, silver, and bronze medals that will be presented this September. Each medal, a fusion of artistic craftsmanship and heartfelt symbolism, will bear the name, event, and country code of its recipient, a first-of-its-kind honour designed to celebrate the individuality of every champion.
Crafted through a collaborative effort involving Japanese junior and high school athletes and design experts, the medals are a tribute not only to victory but to the journey of resilience, discipline, and ambition each athlete undertakes.
The front of the medal features sweeping dynamic stripes and a stylised “TYO” — Tokyo’s city code — shaped as an athletics track. These elements represent momentum, global unity, and the shared pursuit of excellence. The back is polished to a mirror finish, giving each medalist a powerful first reflection as a champion. The engraved name plate makes the medal deeply personal, transforming it from a trophy into a lifelong keepsake.
The front of the medal. PHOTO/COURTESY
In a nod to sustainability and Tokyo’s natural heritage, the medal cases are crafted from locally sourced Tama wood, adding a warm, tactile connection to the host city. The full medal and case set will be on public display beginning Friday, June 6, at the Central Exhibition Area of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No.1 Building.
The back of the medal. PHOTO/COURTESY
Adding to the ceremonial significance, engravings will be completed inside the stadium, ensuring that when athletes step onto the podium, they receive a medal uniquely theirs. Medal ceremonies are scheduled to take place prior to the evening sessions on the day following each final.
As the countdown continues, these bespoke medals serve as a powerful symbol of Tokyo’s promise to honour not just the winners, but their stories, their dreams, and the remarkable paths they took to get there.
Written By Rodney Mbua
