“I wanted to be calm, relaxed, and confident that I belonged here… Maybe I didn’t get the outcome that I wanted, but I hit my goal of being calm, trying to stay low emotion, and float, follow, and relax — all of the words that I said to myself. I’m really proud of how I navigated that race.”

Please welcome back to the show – the one and only Nikki Hiltz. And what a year it’s been! Just a season after finishing seventh at the Paris Olympics, Nikki stepped onto the line at the World Championships in Tokyo and delivered the best outdoor global finish of their career: fifth in the 1500m. They ran 3:57.08, the top American in the final, and held their own in a race where Faith Kipyegon, Dorcus Ewoi, and Jessica Hull all ran sub-3:56 for medals.

Yes, it’s easy to get caught up in the medal talk that we pushed throughout the championships. That’s what we do as pundits to talk about the sport. But for Nikki, it wasn’t about the outcome as much as the process: staying calm, engaged, and believing in their plan lap after lap.

That mindset carried them to a performance that showed just how close they are to the world’s very best. Today, we talk about the lessons learned, the mantras that kept them grounded, and what it means to chase medals while staying true to the journey.

____________

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Nikki Hiltz | @nikkihiltz on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Mentioned in this episode…

Listen: Sage Hurta After Finishing 5th In The World Championships 800m Final In 1:55.89 (Third-Fastest American Ever) | Tokyo 2025 Recap + Reflections

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

ASICS: The Megablast is the Mega Man of the Blast lineup. Armed with ASICS’ latest foam innovation, FlyteFoam Turbo Squared, it’s 33% bouncier and 10% softer than before. That means every stride feels effortless—whether you’re out for an easy shakeout, stacking long miles, or testing race pace. And here’s the kicker—no plate needed. If you’re ready for the shoe that defines ultimate bounce, check out the ASICS Megablast—available now at asics.com and your local run specialty store. 

WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout.

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠

“This is the moment I’ve been training three years for. There’s been three years of a lot of hard work and hard times to get to this. This is the thing in my mind, that dream and goal that’s kept me going. Once I put that into perspective, it was a lot easier to ride that wave of momentum into Worlds.”

About two months after we caught up with Sage Hurta-Klecker after making her first U.S. team, she's back on the CITIUS MAG Podcast to recap her experience at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. 

Sage made it count. After sneaking into the 800m final as the last qualifier, she unleashed a fearless performance, dropping nearly two full seconds off her PB to finish fifth in the final in 1:55.89. This made her the third fastest American of all-time and now sits behind legends like Athing Mu and Ajee Wilson. She's finishing the year with 12 outdoor 800s and 12 sub-two performances. Sage proved that she belongs among the very best in the world and you'll hear in this episode that the 800m is where she's planning to stay for the time being. 

This was a fun one. We go through all of her experiences from training to the time in between races and how her mindset shifted throughout the rounds. I love doing these recaps and Sage is an open book with all of it, including the training. She's actually asking for more people to take notice of her on Strava, so go ahead and hit her with a follow there. 

____________

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Sage Hurta-Klecker | @hurtasage on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠

“In years past, I just imagined myself as a hurdler and long jumper who sometimes did the hep. I just didn’t like doing the hep. I finally accepted that this is what I do. This is what I can be really good at. It just shifted my mindset. The medal confirmed what I already knew and I see how much room there is to grow.”

Taliyah Brooks came up CLUTCH in the second day with three PBs to notch a personal best of 6,581 points to tie for the bronze medal and move to No. 8 on the U.S. all-time list. This is her second World Championship medal in 2025 after earning a bronze in the pentathlon at the World Indoor Championships back in March.

____________

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Taliyah Brooks | @love_tbrooks on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

____________

PRESENTED BY ASICS

For the third consecutive year, CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with ASICS for our global championship coverage. With their support, we’re able to bring you the best coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Support our sponsor and check out ASICS’s latest including the MegaBlast and SonicBlast. Shop at ASICS.com

Join Chris Chavez, Eric Jenkins and Anderson Emerole as they recap all the highlights from Day 9 at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

Here’s a full summary of day eight at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, covering all key results and storylines:

USA Sweeps Relays & Sets Records:

Women’s 4x100m – Gold & Sprint Treble for Jefferson-Wooden

- Melissa Jefferson-Wooden joins Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as the only women to win the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at the same World Championships. USA clocked 41.75 to edge Jamaica (41.79), with Germany (41.87) earning bronze. The race also marked Fraser-Pryce's farewell, as she earned a final medal before retirement.

Men’s 4x100m – Dominant World Lead

- Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Courtney Lindsey, and Christian Coleman ran 37.29 WL. Canada (37.55) took silver, Netherlands (37.81 NR) claimed bronze.

Women’s 4x400m – Championship Record

- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone anchored with a 47.82 split, bringing the team home in 3:16.61 CR. Beat their own 1993 record. Jamaica and Netherlands rounded out the podium.

Botswana Men’s 4x400m – Stuns USA in Thrilling Finish

- Anchor Collen Kebinatshipi outkicked Rai Benjamin on the home straight.

- All three podium teams (Botswana, USA, South Africa) clocked under 2:58.

Individual Champions and Big Moments:

Cole Hocker – 5000m Redemption

- Just six days after a controversial DQ in the 1500m, Hocker surged late to win in 12:58.30. Beat Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli and France’s Jimmy Gressier in a tactical but fast finish.

Lilian Odira – 800m Champion with a Historic Time

- Closed hard to win in 1:54.62 CR, breaking the oldest championship record. First time three women broke 1:55 and five went under 1:56. Silver: Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR), Bronze: Keely Hodgkinson (GBR).

Leo Neugebauer – Decathlon Gold

- Won with 8804 points, following a massive 64.34m PB in the javelin. Took lead from long-time leader Kyle Garland before holding off Ayden Owens-Delerme (PUR).

Nicola Olyslagers – High Jump Gold

- Cleared 2.00m in rainy conditions to edge out Maria Zodzik (POL) on countback. Bronze shared between Mahuchikh (UKR) and Topic (SRB) – both at 1.97m.

Daniel Stahl – World Discus Hat-Trick

- Won his third World title with a clutch 70.47m final-round throw. Denied Mykolas Alekna (LTU) a maiden global gold; Alex Rose won Samoa's first-ever medal (66.96m).

____________

PRESENTED BY ASICS

For the third consecutive year, CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with ASICS for our global championship coverage. With their support, we’re able to bring you the best coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Support our sponsor and check out ASICS’s latest including the MegaBlast and SonicBlast. Shop at ASICS.com

____________

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mac Fleet |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@macfleet on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Eric Jenkins | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_ericjenkins on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mitch Dyer | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightatit_ on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Paul Hof-Mahoney | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@phofmahoney on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram

Join Chris Chavez, Eric Jenkins, Anderson Emerole, and Mitch Dyer as they recap all the highlights from Day 8 at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

Here’s a full summary of day eight at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, covering all key results and storylines:

Distance Doubles: Chebet & Perez Repeat Gold Feats

- Beatrice Chebet (KEN) – 5000m Champion

- Added to her 10,000m gold, replicating her Olympic double from Paris 2024. Outsprinted teammate Faith Kipyegon in the final lap of a tactical race.

800m: Wanyonyi Breaks Championship Record

- Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) – 800m Gold

- Won in 1:41.86, a new championship record and world lead.

- Historic depth: All top 8 broke 1:43 – never done before.

Heptathlon: Anna Hall Ends 32-Year Drought for USA

- Anna Hall (USA) – Heptathlon Champion

- First US woman to win this title since 1993.

- Dominated from event two; ended with 6888 points

Relay Heats: Drama & National Records

Men's 4x400m:

- Botswana leads with 2:57.68.

- USA and Kenya to re-run due to interference.

Women's 4x400m:

- USA and Jamaica advance smoothly.

Men's 4x100m:

Women's 4x100m:

Join Chris Chavez, Eric Jenkins, Anderson Emerole and Mitch Dyer as they recap all the highlights from Day 7 at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Some of today's highlights include champions holding their ground as Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Femke Bol, Noah Lyles, Pedro Pichardo, and Rai Benjamin each struck gold.

Jefferson-Wooden completes sprint double

- Five days after her 100m win, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden added the 200m title in a world-leading PB of 21.68, becoming the eighth-fastest woman of all time.

- She outran defending champ Shericka Jackson and a late-surging Amy Hunt (GBR), who earned silver in 22.14. Jackson held on for bronze in 22.18.

Bol defends 400m hurdles title

- Femke Bol ran a commanding race to defend her 400m hurdles world title in 51.54, the fastest major championship time of her career.

- USA’s Jasmine Jones grabbed silver with a PB of 52.08.

- Emma Zapletalova (SVK) took bronze in a national record of 53.00 — just the second Slovak woman to ever win a world medal.

Pichardo strikes gold in final triple jump leap

- Pedro Pichardo (POR) delivered gold with his final jump of 17.91m, a world lead, to reclaim the crown he first won in 2022.

- Italy’s Andrea Dallavalle had taken the lead moments before with a PB of 17.64m. Lazaro Martinez (CUB) won bronze with a season’s best 17.49m.

Lyles takes fourth straight 200m world title

- Noah Lyles held off a packed field to win his fourth consecutive world 200m title, clocking 19.52 in a historically deep final.

- Teammate Kenny Bednarek earned silver in 19.58. Bryan Levell (JAM) ran a PB of 19.64 for bronze. Letsile Tebogo (BOT) and Zharnel Hughes (GBR) also dipped under 19.80.

Benjamin adds world 400m hurdles title

- After silvers in Doha and Budapest, Rai Benjamin finally claimed world gold in the 400m hurdles, winning in 46.52 despite clipping the final barrier.

- Alison dos Santos took silver (46.84) and Abderrahman Samba bronze (47.06).

- Ezekiel Nathaniel set a Nigerian record of 47.11, beating Karsten Warholm, who faded to fifth.

Women’s 800m semifinals

- Lilian Odira led the fastest semi (1:56.85), followed by Audrey Werro (1:56.99).

- Jessica Hull rebounded from her heat fall, running 1:57.15 (Oceania record) to sneak into the final.

- Keely Hodgkinson and Mary Moraa won their respective semis.

- Medal contenders Tsige Duguma and Halimah Nakaayi were eliminated.

Men’s 5000m heats

- Isaac Kimeli and Biniam Mehary won their respective races.

- Final will include: Jimmy Gressier, Grant Fisher, Cole Hocker, Jakob Ingebrigtsen (snuck in after 1500m elimination)

- Out: Andreas Almgren (fastest outdoor time this year) and Niels Laros (stepped off track)

____________

PRESENTED BY ASICS

For the third consecutive year, CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with ASICS for our global championship coverage. With their support, we’re able to bring you the best coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Support our sponsor and check out ASICS’s latest including the MegaBlast and SonicBlast. Shop at ASICS.com

____________

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mac Fleet |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@macfleet on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Eric Jenkins | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_ericjenkins on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mitch Dyer | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightatit_ on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Paul Hof-Mahoney | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@phofmahoney on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram

At only 26 years old, Camryn Rogers had already created a legacy in the women’s hammer throw that few could match. Winning a World title in 2023 and an Olympic title in 2024, she had emerged as the most consistent championship performer in the midst of the best era in the event’s history.

On Monday, she took the next major leap in her career, becoming the fourth woman to break the 80 meter barrier and the third to win three or more global titles. Her 80.51m second-round effort secured gold in Tokyo, moved Rogers up to No. 2 on the all-time list, and decimated one of the best fields ever assembled by nearly three full meters.

After receiving her medal, Rogers sat down with Paul Hof-Mahoney to open up on the emotions of an iconic victory, her experiences with some of the sport’s biggest legends, keys to her consistency in an event defined by inconsistency, and so much more.

____________

Host: Paul Hof-Mahoney | @phofmahoney on Instagram

Guest: Camryn Rogers | @rogers_camryn on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

____________

PRESENTED BY ASICS

For the third consecutive year, CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with ASICS for our global championship coverage. With their support, we’re able to bring you the best coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Support our sponsor and check out ASICS’s latest including the MegaBlast and SonicBlast. Shop at ASICS.com

It’s not unreasonable to say that no one could’ve predicted this podium. That’s not to say that Isaac Nader, Jake Wightman, and Reynold Cheruiyot aren’t all medal-worthy contenders in their own rights, just that the series of circumstances that had to stack on top of one another to make this particular outcome happen was highly improbable.

Without Jakob Ingebrigtsen to assume the role of pacemaker, the field hit 400 meters in a relatively pedestrian 59.45, and each successive second that the tempo lagged injected a little extra variability into the last lap. No one saw Kerr’s untimely calf injury coming: the Scotsman is remarkably consistent in global finals, with his lowest finish of the decade being sixth in 2022. And heading into the last lap, one measly second separated the top 12 contenders.

Nader and Wightman are both known for their footspeed, and the race was set up perfectly for them to take advantage. In particular, Wightman has looked like a rejuvenated runner throughout these championships after missing the last two British teams with injuries and changing coaches in 2024. Nader won the Oslo Dream Mile earlier this season and has finished near the front of a few other Diamond Leagues, but this was still only the second global final of his career and doesn’t have the shiny PBs of some of his competitors.

But that didn’t matter on the homestretch, when Niels Laros looked vulnerable for the first time in months, eventually fading to fifth, and Nader swung into lane three for the first time after riding the rail to power past both Cheruiyots and nip Wightman at the line by 0.02 seconds. Even though this is an event where fans often feel passionately about their favorite athlete, we can all appreciate the fact that, when the dust settled, the crazy ride was fun for everyone.

____________

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Isaac Nader | @isaacnader on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

____________

PRESENTED BY ASICS

For the third consecutive year, CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with ASICS for our global championship coverage. With their support, we’re able to bring you the best coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Support our sponsor and check out ASICS’s latest including the MegaBlast and SonicBlast. Shop at ASICS.com

It’s not unreasonable to say that no one could’ve predicted this podium. That’s not to say that Isaac Nader, Jake Wightman, and Reynold Cheruiyot aren’t all medal-worthy contenders in their own rights, just that the series of circumstances that had to stack on top of one another to make this particular outcome happen was highly improbable.

Without Jakob Ingebrigtsen to assume the role of pacemaker, the field hit 400 meters in a relatively pedestrian 59.45, and each successive second that the tempo lagged injected a little extra variability into the last lap. No one saw Kerr’s untimely calf injury coming: the Scotsman is remarkably consistent in global finals, with his lowest finish of the decade being sixth in 2022. And heading into the last lap, one measly second separated the top 12 contenders.

Nader and Wightman are both known for their footspeed, and the race was set up perfectly for them to take advantage. In particular, Wightman has looked like a rejuvenated runner throughout these championships after missing the last two British teams with injuries and changing coaches in 2024. Nader won the Oslo Dream Mile earlier this season and has finished near the front of a few other Diamond Leagues, but this was still only the second global final of his career and doesn’t have the shiny PBs of some of his competitors.

But that didn’t matter on the homestretch, when Niels Laros looked vulnerable for the first time in months, eventually fading to fifth, and Nader swung into lane three for the first time after riding the rail to power past both Cheruiyots and nip Wightman at the line by 0.02 seconds. Even though this is an event where fans often feel passionately about their favorite athlete, we can all appreciate the fact that, when the dust settled, the crazy ride was fun for everyone.

____________

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Jake Wightman | @jakeswightman on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

____________

PRESENTED BY ASICS

For the third consecutive year, CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with ASICS for our global championship coverage. With their support, we’re able to bring you the best coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Support our sponsor and check out ASICS’s latest including the MegaBlast and SonicBlast. Shop at ASICS.com

Join Chris Chavez, Eric Jenkins, Anderson Emerole and Mitch Dyer as they recap all the highlights from Day 6 at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Some of today's highlights include:

McLaughlin-Levrone Claims the 400m Throne

- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone delivered another historic performance on the Tokyo track, winning the women’s 400m in a Championship Record of 47.78 — the second-fastest time in history.

Botswana’s Breakthrough: Kebinatshipi Wins Men’s 400m

-In one of the championship’s most powerful performances, Collen Kebinatshipi stormed to gold in 43.53, a national record and the 10th-fastest time ever.

Men’s 200m Semifinals

- Noah Lyles unleashed a world-leading 19.51, the fastest semifinal ever, sending a message ahead of the final.

- Bryan Levell won the second semi in 19.78, finishing ahead of Letsile Tebogo (19.95).

Women’s 200m Semifinals

- Shericka Jackson ran a smooth 21.99.

- Melissa Jefferson-Wooden clocked 22.20 as she continues her quest for a sprint double.

- All four US women advanced to the final.

Men’s 800m Semifinals

- Defending world champion Marco Arop and Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Olympic champion) progressed with ease. Surprise performers: Cian McPhillips and Mohamed Attaoui both ran PBs of 1:43.18, winning their semis.

Women’s 5000m Heats

- Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon (already 10,000m & 1500m champions here) advanced comfortably. Gudaf Tsegay also qualified, setting the stage for a potential showdown.

____________

PRESENTED BY ASICS

For the third consecutive year, CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with ASICS for our global championship coverage. With their support, we’re able to bring you the best coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Support our sponsor and check out ASICS’s latest including the MegaBlast and SonicBlast. Shop at ASICS.com

____________

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mac Fleet |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@macfleet on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Eric Jenkins | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_ericjenkins on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mitch Dyer | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightatit_ on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Paul Hof-Mahoney | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@phofmahoney on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram