26-Year-Old American Track and Field Star Makes Bold World Championship Call After Setback

Young, energetic, and determined, that’s 26-year-old Matt Wilkinson in a nutshell. His journey is nothing short of remarkable. He never made it to a state meet in high school, nor was he a top recruit for college. In fact, he didn’t even discover the 3000-meter steeplechase until his freshman year at Carleton College. From an unknown name to a rising force on the global stage, Wilkinson has come a long way. After a disappointing Olympic debut, he now faces another setback just as the World Championships approach.

The Greenwood native earned his ticket to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo through sheer consistency and excellence on the track. At the USATF Championships, Wilkinson finished fourth in the men’s 3000 m steeplechase, clocking 8:29.32, just shy of the podium. After his amazing run, Wilkinson secured his spot on Team USA for Tokyo, proving once again that timing, standards, and strategy can make all the difference at the elite level. However, the celebration didn’t last long.

Citus Mag reported on August 29 that Matt Wilkinson will have to give up his spot at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to his Under Armour Mission Run Dark Sky teammate, Isaac Updike. The reason: Wilkinson needs to stay home and recover from a broken foot he sustained during the U.S. Championship, an injury that ultimately forced him to withdraw from the event. He fractured his 4th metatarsal, forcing him to stay at home for recovery.

Sharing his perspective on this decision, Wilkinson took to his Instagram handle and added, “Really tough decision to make but I just couldn’t heal quite fast enough to feel confident about racing. Very happy that @issac_updike is next in line.” He further added that “6 weeks just wasn’t enough time to hurdle again.” But Wilkinson regarded the whole episode with an optimistic lens, as he confessed, “It was hard for me to give it up, but I know there are bigger races and results on the horizon for me. This is just a chapter in the book of 7:59.” At the same time, he quite selflessly said, “I didn’t feel comfortable taking the spot from somebody when I didn’t know for sure if I could finish.” And also agreed that “The fact that this guy [Issac Updike] was next in line just made my decision easier.”

Citus Mag founder Chris Chavez even reacted to the news, announcing the team for the 3000m steeplechase race, which will include Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Rooks, Daniel Michalski, and Isaac Updike. Originally slated as the reserve, Isaac Updike will now step into the spotlight as Wilkinson passes the torch. The Alaskan standout, who placed fifth at the USATF Championships and has already met the qualifying standard, has had a remarkable season. He clocked a personal best of 8:10.59, claimed third at the Brussels Diamond League, and most recently finished sixth at the Diamond League final.

This marks his second time representing the U.S., following his appearance in the World Championship final in 2023. But Matt Wilkinson isn’t the only big-name athlete to sit out of the World Athletics Championships.

Matt Wilkinson is not the only one to miss the World Athletics Championships 2025

Lachlan Kennedy will, unfortunately, have to miss the World Championships, sidelined by a persistent back issue. The 21-year-old, nursing a stress fracture, isn’t willing to risk aggravating his injury by traveling to Japan next month. His selection for the Championship, however, was no fluke—this year, he has been nothing short of sensational. In May, he etched his name in Australian athletics history by becoming only the second Australian ever to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters, clocking an electrifying 9.98 seconds at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi.

Earlier in March, he also claimed silver in the 60 meters at the World Indoor Championships, cementing his status as one of the world’s rising sprint stars. Well, despite his amazing performance, he will have to miss the Championships due to injury. Taking to his social media, Kennedy revealed, “It’s with a heavy heart I have to announce that I will not be competing at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo due to a progressing injury. Grateful for the year and the support I’ve received, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ll use this time to heal, grow and comeback stronger than ever.”

With the World Athletics Championships inching closer, the rosters of most nations are set. It remains to be seen who has capabilities to go all the away and who’ll falter on the final hurdle.