Nafi Thiam: 3 Reasons Belgian Star Walked Away Mid-Heptathlon in Tokyo

Three-time Olympic Champion Nafi Thiam’s campaign at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo came to a dramatic halt after she withdrew from the heptathlon on Saturday.

The Belgian star, who had been targeting a fourth major global gold, pulled out of the competition after five events, following a string of underwhelming performances.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Thim’s  journey started positively on Friday, clocking 13.61 in the 100m hurdles and matching Anna Hall’s 1.89m in the high jump.

But as the competition wore on, her results dipped, leaving her sixth after day one with 3818 points. Saturday morning’s disastrous long jump sealed her fate, as she fell to eighth place overall.

Coach Michael Van der Plaetsen confirmed the decision after the session. “I withdrew her from the competition,” he said, explaining that Thiam was unable to recover from the disappointing start to day two. Thiam herself had previously hinted at the possibility of withdrawing but had left the final call until after the long jump.

Thiam’s long jump result of 5.99m was far below her usual standards and proved costly in a highly competitive field. With only two events left — the javelin and 800m — her chances of reaching the podium had become slim.

The poor result followed an already challenging day one, where despite a strong high jump, her 200m time of 25.52 left her playing catch-up. The pressure appeared to mount as competitors like Hall, Johnson-Thompson, and O’Connor continued to deliver season-best performances.

Ultimately, the decision to retire seemed tactical — a way to avoid risking injury while off-form and to focus on future events, possibly including the Paris 2025 Diamond League circuit.

Earlier in the championships, Thiam openly criticized the Belgian athletics federation, citing disputes over publicity rights and financial agreements. She alleged that the federation was “boycotting” her for refusing to sign their code of conduct, which conflicted with her sponsorship deals with Nike and AXA.

The federation denied the claims, insisting they had “written proof” that contradicted her accusations, but the rift clearly added off-track stress. The lack of an accredited physiotherapist, forcing Thiam to seek treatment outside official facilities, also contributed to her frustration.

Despite the tension, both sides have said they remain open to dialogue, but the timing of the fallout could not have been worse for Thiam’s championship focus.

At 30, Thiam has already cemented her legacy with three Olympic titles and multiple world medals, and she may be prioritizing longevity over one difficult championship.

By withdrawing now, she preserves her physical health, giving herself a chance to reset ahead of next season. It could also serve as a statement to Belgian athletics authorities about the seriousness of her grievances.

Now, as the heptathlon continues without her, all eyes turn to Anna Hall, who looks set to claim her first major title.