Maja Åskag Reflects on Mixed Results at the 2025 World Championships
Maja Åskag reflects on her World Championships performance and the pressures of competing in multiple events.
- • Maja Åskag finished eleventh in the triple jump final with a best jump of 13.92 meters.
- • She previously placed ninth in the long jump at the championship.
- • Åskag reflects on her performance and faces questions about event specialization.
- • She expresses a desire for a break from training pressures.
Key details
Maja Åskag, the 22-year-old Swedish athlete, had a challenging showing at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, ending with an eleventh-place finish in the triple jump finals, following her ninth-place in the long jump. Despite her hopes for a stronger performance, Åskag's best jump of 13.92 meters was not enough to secure a spot in the top ten, as Slovene competitor Neja Filipic's final round jump of 14.03 meters bumped her out of contention.
Reflecting on her experience, Åskag expressed disappointment but also acknowledged the achievement of reaching two finals, a feat she didn't anticipate. "I am not satisfied, but I don’t have the energy to dwell on it. I reached two World Championship finals, one more than I had hoped for," she stated. Åskag frequently faces inquiries about whether she should specialize in one event, as suggested by athletics expert Christian Olsson, but she remains firm in her decision to pursue both the long jump and triple jump for now. "It is I who am my own boss," she emphasized, showcasing her commitment to her current competitive strategy.
As her championship journey concluded, Åskag also shared her desire for a break from the training grind, highlighting the mental toll of continuous high-stakes competition. This event continues to shed light on the paths and pressures faced by dual-event athletes in track and field.