'We’re Much Closer' - Athing Mu-Nikolayev Pushes Through Setbacks to Reignite World Championship Dreams

'We’re Much Closer' - Athing Mu-Nikolayev Pushes Through Setbacks to Reignite World Championship Dreams

Abigael Wafula 18:47 - 01.08.2025

Athing Mu-Nikolayev has said she is feeling mentally and physically closer to peak form as she targets a strong comeback at the World Championships in Tokyo.

Former world 800m champion Athing Mu-Nikolayev has shared a positive update as she gears up for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev did not have one of the best seasons in 2024, following an injury setback and falling at the US Olympic trials, something that denied her the opportunity to defend her title at the Paris Olympic Games.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev then competed at the Holloway Pro Classic, finishing a distant fifth and got an injury shortly after that, forcing her to end her season abruptly. However, Athing Mu also got engaged to her Russian partner, Yegor Nikolayev, ending her season on a high.

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In 2025, Athing Mu-Nikolayev started her season with a 5000m, which she failed to finish at the Mt. SAC Relays before competing in a series of competitions ahead of the Prefontaine Classic, where she finished 10th.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev then finished sixth at the Ed Murphey Classic and has since kickstarted her US Championships campaign on a high, winning the heats of the 800m.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev Speaks Ahead of World Championships

Athing Mu
Athing Mu

Speaking after the 800m heats in the US Championships, Athing Mu-Nikolayev revealed that she had a lot of anticipation going into this season, and she hoped to run a good race that would mark a breakthrough moment both mentally and physically.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev expressed happiness that things had finally come together and noted that, while there were still a few more rounds to go and work to be done to reach peak shape, she believed she was ready to compete and was prepared to give it her all to make the team.

“I think we're much closer…way closer than how I started. I think we had to get a couple of weeks of training and just overcome a couple of obstacles mentally,” Athing Mu said in an interview with Citius Mag.

“I think it's a good opportunity to be here and be able to have these three rounds and the USA's, where it's a bit more heightened of a meet. So, I think it's going to be really helpful for me, leading up to the end of summer, the fall, I guess.”

Athing Mu-Nikolayev made her World Championships debut in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon, where she claimed the gold medal before winning silver at the 2023 event in Budapest, Hungary.