Athing Mu-Nikolayev Reflects on the Realities of Marriage and New Beginning After Season Opener

Athing Mu-Nikolayev Reflects on the Realities of Marriage and New Beginning After Season Opener

Abigael Wafula 20:15 - 19.04.2025

Athing Mu-Nikolayev has embraced married life and a fresh start on the track, finding peace and purpose as she navigates a new season shaped by faith and reflection.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev has confirmed that she is indeed married to the love of her life, Yegor Nikolayev, noting that life has changed on her end since she made the bold decision.

The world 800m silver medallist got engaged late last year, in September, after enduring a very tough season. She was then married in March 2025, and later changed her name to Athing Mu-Nikolayev.

Last season was not the best for the 21-year-old, and the engagement was probably the highlight of her year.

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She fell during the 800m race at the US Olympic trials and faded to a ninth-place finish, missing out on a chance to make the Olympic team for Paris despite being the defending champion.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev on life after marriage

Athing Mu
Athing Mu has changed names to reflect her marriage to Yegor Nikolayev.

Athing revealed that the past few months have been about reflecting on her life and making decisions that would determine how her future would turn out without thinking about people’s criticism.

The former world 800m champion revealed that she has also spent time with her family, celebrating her marriage and waiting to see how the season would turn out.

Athing Mu also predicted that the 2025 season would be different, revealing that the LORD is guiding her steps and that is all that matters.

“I am married, and everything has been great. It has been a great transition for me, a lot of downtime for sure. It was nice to get my life not back together, but just kind of set it up however I wanted it to be without a whole bunch of advice,” Athing Mu said in an interview with Flo Track.

“It’s been great, I love my husband, and my family has had a great time just celebrating. I’m super grateful for what the LORD has placed in my life and what he is doing in my life.

“I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me this year. Just taking it day by day and taking everything for what it is.”

Athing Mu-Nikolayev reacts to her season opener

Athing Mu season opener. Image source: Imago

Athing was entered for the 5000m at the Mt. SAC Relays. She failed to finish the race, covering the 3000m, where she clocked 9:41.

The American 800m sensation revealed that it was fun to run the longer distance on a track with other competitors since she was used to doing that in training only.

She also lauded her competitors for a great display, noting that they split explosive times, something to be in awe of.

Athing also explained that she was unaware of what to expect in the race, since it was not her typical 800m race or even a 1500m race.

“I don’t know the conversion of that at all, but I know I ran. The splits were good, we had a reliable pacer, the girls are doing it really well, and it’s more fun to do it out here, not just in training. It was definitely long, not the 800m or 1500m, and I would maybe do it again,” Athing Mu said.

“I was just nervous about starting just because we did not have a lot of information on how we cut in, it’s definitely not the 800m. We just cut right into it before the race, but after that it was really chill.”

In this new chapter of both her personal and professional life, Athing Mu-Nikolayev is embracing change with grace and faith, hopeful that the season ahead will unfold just as it is meant to.

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