How Anavia Battle is Sharpening Her Edge Ahead of US Trials Showdown with Gabby Thomas and Co

How Anavia Battle is Sharpening Her Edge Ahead of US Trials Showdown with Gabby Thomas and Co

Abigael Wafula 15:20 - 07.06.2025

Anavia Battle has made key adjustments to elevate her game as she prepares for a high-stakes clash against Gabby Thomas and other top contenders at the US Trials.

Anavia Battle has detailed the improvements she has made so far in the 200m, that Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown, and Sha’Carri Richardson should be worried about ahead of the US Championships.

Anavia Battle has been unbeaten so far in her individual races, and she will be looking to extend the hot streak to the trials, hoping to make the cut to the team that will represent the US at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

The 26-year-old started her Diamond League campaign in Xiamen, where she claimed the win before stunning Shericka Jackson in Keqiao. Anavia Battle did not stop there as she proceeded to claim her recent victory at the Diamond League Meeting in Rome.

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Anavia Battle Shares Update on Her Progress

Anavia Battle
Anavia Battle

The American sprinter revealed that she has greatly improved her finishing power, something that has always been a headache in her 200m races.

Battle added that she is looking forward to the trials, especially after claiming top honours in the race in Rome.

Anavia Battle also pointed out that she has worked greatly on her mental strength and will be unbeatable this season, adding that winning a medal at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, is her ultimate goal.

“Winning today gives me a lot of motivation and faith, also for the trials. My finish has got a lot better, so I am grateful. I love this stadium. Coming in here was amazing,” Anavia Battle revealed.

“But I had to stay calm in order to win. The most important thing is mental: I have been doing a lot of mental work. For the world championships, my goal is to be on the podium.”

She added that having Africa’s fastest woman, Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith, in the race was a threat, but she somehow managed to focus on herself and proceeded to win the race.

Anavia Battle claimed the win in a time of 22.53 seconds as Great Britain’s Amy Hunt came in second in 22.67. Ta Lou-Smith rounded up the podium in 22.75

“The race did not hurt that badly, but it hurt. In the blocks, I told myself to stay calm, not to freak out, and to run my pace,” Anavia Battle said.

“So, I concentrated on myself and on how to become the best athlete I can be. I ran in lane 6 with Ta Lou in front of me, so I had to run my race and not look at her.”

She now goes back to training, looking forward to continuing to polish her race technique with the hope of silencing Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, among other stars, at the US Championships and later making a mark at the World Championships.

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