Athletics New Zealand is proud to announce the selection of Livi McTaggart for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, and Joe Smith for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.
McTaggart returns to the world stage for her third world championship appearance. Having previously lined up in Oregon in 2022 and Budapest in 2023. Her recent win at the London Diamond League with a PB clearance of 4.73m was enough to secure her selection. Her winning jump equalled the World Athletics Entry Standard and guaranteed her a spot in Tokyo. McTaggart will hope to continue her rich vein of form in Tokyo.
Joe Smith returns to the global arena after a memorable debut at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. There, the T37 sprinter advanced to the final of the 100m, clocking a personal best of 12.08 in the heats and running the second-fastest time of his career in the final to finish 8th. His selection for New Delhi is a testament to his continued development and drive in the sport.
Smith joins the already named eight athletes, bringing the total number of Kiwis in New Delhi to nine.
The 2025 World Athletics Championships will be held from 12–20 September in Tokyo, Japan, while the World Para Athletics Championships will take place from 17–28 November in New Delhi, India.
Selected athletes for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships:
Anna Grimaldi – Women’s 100m T47 and 200m T47
Will Stedman – Men’s 100m T36 & 400m T36, & long jump T36
Holly Robinson – Women’s shot put F46
Danielle Aitchison – Women’s 100m T36 & 200m T36
Mitch Joynt – Men’s 200m T64
Joe Smith – Men’s 100m T37
Paddy Walsh – Women’s long jump T64 (Debut)
Michael Whittaker – 5000m T13 (Debut)
Sarah James – 100m T53 (Debut)
Selected athletes for the 2025 World Athletics Championships
Tom Walsh – Men’s Shot Put
Jacko Gill – Men’s Shot Put
Hamish Kerr – Men’s High Jump
Connor Bell – Men’s Discus
Maddi Wesche – Women’s Shot Put
Zoe Hobbs – Women’s 100m
George Beamish – Men’s 3000m Steeple Chase
Livi McTaggart – Women’s Pole Vault