Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Budapest 2023, Day 37: Here's five Asian Athletes Who should medal in Budapest!

This is our 37th day of previews of the 2023 World Outdoor Athletics Championships, in Budapest, Hungary, from August 19-27, 2023. I found my hotel today, which costs 1/3 of the price that we were charged in Eugene, Oregon, last year! Great airfares to Budapest (Lufthansa, Swiss Air, TAP, Air Baltic all good). You need to be there!

We have eight more days of previews in our 45-day preview series of Budapest sponsored by the LOC in Budapest!

Putting Budapest 2023 in Perspective, Reflections on the World Champs by Cathal Dennehy

2023 RunBlogRun Summer Mileage Program, Week 10, Day 5…

The Good, the bad, and the unusual in Budapest

Tonight, I am writing about five athletes from Asia who should be on the podiums in Budapest!

Gong Liljao, China, Shot Put. The Chinese shot put superstar is on the way back to fitness (she has thrown 19.66m so far this season). In her fifth competition in 2023, Gong threw 19.66 meters. Gong LiJao won World Champs in 2017 and 2019 and then won gold in Tokyo 2021. Chase Ealey shook it up in Eugene with the Americans taking the gold. Never underestimate Gond Liljao; know that since last August, this Chinese athlete has focused on one thing, getting back to the top of the podium. I love rivalries!
LiJao Gong wins her first gold, London 2017 WC, photo by Mike Deering/TheShoe Addicts.
Wang Jianan, China, Long Jump. The Chinese long jumper surprised everyone with his come-from-behind, last-round jump at 8.36 meters in Eugene. He surprised the heck out of Greece’s Miltiadis Tentaglou, who had been leading up until Wang’s jump. Mitlitadis had leaped 8.32m, but the Greek long jump superstar could not respond. What will Wang Jianan do in Budapest? I truly pick this Long Jumper to be on the podium.
Wang Jianan, photo courtesy of IAAF/ Getty Images
Woo Sang-hyeok, South Korea. High Jump. So, back in 2019, I went to all of the WA Winter Indoor Series. In Dusseldorf, i was transfixed with the high jump. Woo Sang-hyeok was really impressive, and the German crowd of 5000 was transfixed. Woo won the World Youth Games in 2013 in Donetsk, Ukraine, and bronze in the 2014 WA Junior Champs in Eugene. Woo took 4th in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and 7th in the Doha WCA 2019. In 2022, Woo Sang-hyeok won the 2022 World Indoor Champs gold in Belgrade, Serbia, and, then, in Eugene, took the silver medal in the World Champs high jump in 2022. What will the South Koren high jumper do in 2023?
Woo Sang-hyeok, photo courtesy of PUMA
Haruka Kitaguchi, Japan, Javelin. In Eugene last summer, Haruka Kitaguchi made history. She became the first Japanese athlete to medal in the Worlds or Olympics in the women’s javelin. The last Japanese athlete to medal in a World Champs, Yukifumi Murikami won the bronze in the 2009 WC in Berlin men’s javelin. Kitaguchi is the Japanese record holder in the javelin (66.00 meters, 2019). What will Haruka do in 2023? She should be inspired by her medal from last year.
Haruka Kitaguchi, photo courtesy of JAAF
Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar, High Jump. Mutaz has won World Champs gold in 2017, 2019, and 2022. At the Olympics, Mutaz took silver in London 2012 and Rio 2016. Mutaz Essa Barshim tied with Gianmarco Tambieri of Italy in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. Barshim has had a slow start in 2023, but do not despair; the pride of Qatar and one of the most entertaining athletes in the sport will be ready for Budapest!
Mutaz Essa Barshim, August 2022, photo courtesy of PUMA AG.

1. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 1; Welcome to the World Champs! https://runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-1-welcome-to-the-world-champs.html

2. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 2, Meeting the Stars of Hungarian Athletics! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-2-meeting-the-stars-of-hungarian-athletics.html\

3. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 3, Why you should go to Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-3.html

4. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 4, Mondo Duplantis & Nafi Thiam are Europe’s finest; how will they do in Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-3-mondo-duplantis-nafi-thiam-are-europes-finest-how-will-they-do-in-budapest.html

5. Witness the Wonder, World Championships Budapest 2023, Day 5, Just What Will Faith Kipyegon Do in Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-championships-budapest-2023-day-5-just-what-will-faith-kipyegon-do-in-budapest.html

6. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 6, Mutaz Essa Barshim. Will he take a 4th straight title in Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-mutaz-essa-barshim-will-he-take-a-4th-straight-title-in-budapest.html

7. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Outdoor Champs Budapest 2023, Day 7; Noah Lyles wants to burn up the track in Budapest in August! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-outdoor-champs-budapest-2023-noah-lyles-wants-to-burn-up-the-track-in-budapest-in-august.html

8. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 8, all About the National Athletics Center https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-8-all-about-the-national-athletics-center.html

9. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 9: Meet Anita Marton, Hungarian star shot putter with deadly last-round throws! What will she do in Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-9-meet-anita-marton-hungarian-star-shot-putter-who-has-deadly-last-round-throws-what-will-she-do-in-budapest.html

10. Witness the Wonder, 2023 World Athletics Outdoor Championships, Day 10: Karsten Warholm is back; what will he do in Budapest over the 400-meter hurdles? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-2023-world-athletics-outdoor-championships-day-10-karsten-warhold-is-back-what-will-he-do-in-budapest-over-the-400-meter-hurdles.html

11. Witness the Wonder World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 11; Wayde Van Niekerk is coming to Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-11-wayde-van-niekerk-wr-holder-olympic-champions-two-time-world-champion-at-400-meters-has-returned-and-he-wants-to-run-a-sizz.html

12. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 12, Neeraj Chopra, India’s Javelin star, will he move up to gold in Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-neeraj-chopra-indias-javelin-star-will-he-move-up-to-gold-in-budapest.html,

13. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 13: Ryan Crouser overcomes a rainy day at the Drake Relays! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/04/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-13-ryan-crouser-overcomes-a-rainy-day-at-the-drake-relays.html

14. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Outdoor Championships, Budapest, Day 14: Five Reasons to Go to the World Championships in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-outdoor-championships-budapest-day-14-five-reasons-to-go-to-the-world-championships-in-budapest.html

15. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 15, Old and New Stars in Hammer could shine the first weekend of World Champs for Hungary! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-old-and-new-stars-in-hammer-could-shine-first-weekend-of-world-champs-for-hungary.html

16. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023, Day 16: Five Ways to Better Enjoy the Budapest World Champs! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-15-five-ways-to-better-enjoy-the-budapest-world-champs.html

17. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 17; Ferdinand Omanyala wants to be on the 100m medal podium this summer! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-17-ferdinand-omanyala-wants-to-be-on-the-100m-medal-podium-this-summer.html

18. Witness the Wonder, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 18: What will Sifan Hassan do in Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-18-what-will-sifan-hassan-do-in-budapest.html

19. Witness the Wonder World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 19; Tomas Walsh is from New Zealand, and you better watch him in the Men’s Shot Put final in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-19-tomas-walsh-is-from-new-zealand-and-you-better-watch-him-in-the-mens-shot-put-final-in-budapest.html

20. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 20; Grant Holloway wants to Three-Peat in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-20-grant-holloway-wants-to-three-peat-in-budapest.html

21. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Budapest 2023, Day 21, Five Big Stories for the World Champs in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-budapest-2023-day-21-five-big-stories-for-the-world-champs-in-budapest.html

22. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Budapest 2023, Day 22, Six Stories on Hungarian Athletes and their Dreams for Budapest 2023! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-budapest-2023-day-22-six-stories-on-hungarian-athletes-and-their-dreams-for-budapest-2023.html

23. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023, Day 23: Femke Bol What Will She do in Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-23-femke-bol-what-will-she-do-in-budapest.html

24. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Budapest 2023, Day 24, What Plans Does Joshua Cheptegai Have for Budapest? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-budapest-2023-day-24-what-plans-does-joshua-cheptegai-have-for-budapest.html

25. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Budapest 2023, Day 25, LiJao Gong will again battle for the gold, this time in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-budapest-2023-day-25-lijao-gong-will-battle-for-the-gold-once-again-this-time-in-budapest.html

26. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 26, Sha’Carri Richardson is running towards Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-26-shacarri-richardson-is-running-towards-budapest.html

27. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 27, What you need to know about Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-27-what-you-need-to-know-about-budapest.html

28. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 28: Budapest, where everything is within easy reach! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-28-budapest-where-everything-is-within-easy-reach.html

29. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 29: Dina Asher-Smith focuses on Budapest https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-29-dina-asher-smith-focuses-on-budapest.html

30. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 30: Mary Moraa dreams of a podium finish in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-30.html

31. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 31: Fred Kerley has some decisions to make before Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-31-fred-kerley-has-some-decisions-to-make-before-budapest.html

32. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Budapest 2023, Day 32: What we will find on Day One at Budapest 2023! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-budapest-2023-day-32-what-we-will-find-in-session-one-day-one-at-budapest-2023.html

33. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Budapest 2023, Day 33: Who will be the stars in Budapest? Seven Deep thoughts! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-budapest-2023-day-33-who-will-be-the-stars-in-budapest-seven-deep-thoughts.html

34. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 34, Who Could Set World Records in Budapest? Five Deep Thoughts. https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-34-who-could-set-world-records-in-budapest-five-deep-thoughts.html

35. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 35: Here are Five European Athletes Who Can Medal in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-35-heres-five-athletes-who-can-medal-in-budapest.html

36. Witness the Wonder, World Outdoor Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, Day 36: Five African athletes can med medal in Budapest! https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/05/witness-the-wonder-world-outdoor-athletics-championships-budapest-2023-day-36-heres-five-african-athletes-who-can-medal-in-budapest-this-coming-august.html

The World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, will be held August 19-27, 2023, and tickets are available now! Click here to learn more about ticket sales: https://tickets.wabudapest23.com/

RunBlogRun suggests a wonderful book on Hungary, The Hungarians, A Thousand Years of Victory in Defeat, by Paul Lendvai, Translated by Ann Major, Princeton University Press, www.pupress.princeton.edu.

Need tips for Visiting Budapest and the rest of Hungary? Please go here! Visit Hungary-Wellspring of Wonders! https://visithungary.com/

Author

Larry Eder
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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