Cameroon’s Four Athletes Exit Early at 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
By Esther E. Otto
Cameroon’s campaign at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo ended without a medal as all four of the nation’s representatives were eliminated in the preliminary rounds. Despite their determination and efforts on the track and field, the athletes could not advance to the semifinals or finals.
Emmanuel Eseme,Cameroon’s leading sprinter, competed in the men’s 100 metres. He finished sixth in his heat with a time of 10.24 seconds and did not start in the 200 metres. Reflecting on his performance, Eseme said, “It has been a long season for me, I will use this opportunity to spend time with my family and rest, free my spirit and prepare for the next season. Every season I hope to perform better than the previous. I think next season I will have to work harder in order to do better than this season.”
On the women’s side, Herverge Etame Kolle ran the 100 metres, finishing sixth in her heat with a time of 11.55 seconds, which was not enough to progress to the semifinals. In the field events, Nora Monie threw 55.69 metres in the discus, placing 32nd in the qualifiers, while Anne-Suzanna Fosther-Katta competed in the triple jump, recording a distance of 13.45 metres and ranking 31st in the qualifying round.
Although the results may seem disappointing, the Cameroonian athletes gained valuable international experience that will be essential for their growth and preparation for future competitions. The championships served as an important benchmark for Cameroon’s athletics program, highlighting areas for improvement and the need to strengthen competitive depth across events.
The team’s participation also underscores the challenges African athletes face on the world stage, where small margins often separate advancement from elimination. For Esseme and his teammates, the focus now turns to recovery, training, and preparation for the next season, with hopes of improved performances in upcoming international meets.
