American sprinter Anavia Battle has shown bravery and bold confidence ahead of the 2025 U.S. Championships, after clinching another commanding win in the women’s 200m at the Paris Diamond league.
The 26-year-old secured her fifth victory of the season and her fourth in a row on the Diamond League circui. Battle has been in top form throughout 2025. Earlier victories in Xiamen, Keqiao, and Rome, firmly re-establishing herself as one of the leading U.S. sprinters in the half-lap event.
Anavia Battle will line up at the U.S.A Trials in Eugene, Oregon, from July 31 to August 3. America’s team for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September will be selected. And the women’s 200m event will be one of the most competitive.
“The U.S. is so deep, Olympic champion, Olympic bronze medalist. You’ve got a whole bunch of people in that mix for our team,” Battle said. “It’s going to be intense.”
Last Year Trials
Last year, Battle missed out on the team for the Paris 2024 Olympics, but she’s responded with a resurgent 2025 season. The competition she’s up against is fierce. Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown, and McKenzie Long made the Olympic team for Paris, with Thomas going on to win gold (21.83), Brown taking bronze (22.20), and Long placing seventh (22.41) in the final. Thomas, the reigning Olympic champion, is already confirmed for the 2025 season and is expected to be the woman to beat once again.
Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson, who finished fourth in the 200m at the 2024 U.S. Trials with a time of 22.16, didn’t qualify for that event in Paris but represented the U.S. in the 100m and 4x100m relay. She remains a potential threat if she chooses to contest the 200m again this year.
Who will Stop Anavia?
Asked what it might take for someone to stop her current form, Battle didn’t hesitate: “I don’t know what it’s going to take, but they better step their cookies up!”
Despite the high level of competition, Battle is keeping her focus inward. “At the end of the day, I’m racing against myself,” she said. “Every time I’m stacking these races, I’m just trying to get better and better each time.”
With every race this year, Battle has grown in confidence and composure. “I’m just out here having fun and enjoying it,” she added. “I’m finding myself again. It feels so good.”
With only three spots available in the women’s 200m for Team USA, and selection based on both finishing position and qualifying standards, the pressure will be sky-high in Eugene.