200 Days to Go! WCH Tokyo 25 Unveils Official Mascot Name in Grand Celebration

As the countdown to the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 reaches the thrilling 200-day mark, excitement is surging! To celebrate this major milestone, the Local Organising Committee, WCH Tokyo 25, hosted a spectacular event to reveal the name of the championship’s official mascot. In an electrifying moment, it was announced that the energetic, Shiba Inu-inspired character will be called "Riku One"—a name embodying the spirit of competition, unity, and excellence!

The Birth of an Icon

To harness the creativity of Japan’s future generation, a special mascot design workshop was held last year at a Tokyo elementary school. Guided by the imaginative concepts and drawings of young students, Riku One, a vibrant, dynamic character representing the heart and soul of track and field was born!

For the grand unveiling, a life-sized Riku One made an unforgettable visit to the very school where it all began. The children erupted in cheers as the mascot engaged them in an interactive dance performance and an outdoor games session, creating a moment of pure joy and inspiration.

Revealing the Name of Riku One

The highly anticipated moment of the event featured special guests Yuji Oda, WCH Tokyo 25 Special Ambassador, and Kayoko Fukushi, World Championships marathon bronze medalist. Before a captivated audience of media, sponsors, and key stakeholders, the winning name—"Riku One"—was proudly revealed!

Following an intense public online vote, where an incredible 18,306 ballots were cast, "Riku One" secured victory with 7,804 votes. The name is rich with meaning:

• “Riku” (陸) represents track and field.
• “One” symbolizes first place, one second, one step, one throw, one jump, and the unity of relay teams through "All for One".
• "One" is also a playful nod to the Japanese word for a dog’s bark—"Wan!"

Reflecting on the announcement, Yuji Oda declared, "'Riku' for athletics and 'One' for first place—it's perfect! It aligns with my lifelong passion for witnessing the world's best and embodies the championship’s theme, ‘Don’t miss a moment’. Plus, it’s so easy to remember!"

Kayoko Fukushi beamed, "It's adorable and full of meaning! The idea of striving for 'number one' fits beautifully with the championship’s competitive spirit. Since the public played a role in naming it, I know ‘Riku One’ will be cherished by all".

To cap off the celebration, Riku One burst into a lively "Riku One Dance"—a high-energy routine inspired by running, throwing, and jumping—delighting the audience and setting the tone for the months ahead.

Messages from the WCH Tokyo 25 Athlete Ambassadors　

To mark this 200-day milestone, top Japanese athletes shared their excitement and personal reflections.

Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, Japan’s sprinting sensation, described Riku One as "a cute, purple character infused with Tokyo’s past and future". He added, "Competing at a home World Championships is a dream come true. I can’t wait to race in front of Japanese fans and will give it my all—cheer for us!"

Yuki Hashioka, long jump star, praised the mascot’s eye-catching design and vowed to deliver his best: "Winter training is going great, and my focus is 100% on WCH Tokyo 25. Let’s make history together!"

Nozomi Tanaka, Japan’s record-breaking middle-distance runner, shared insights from her high-altitude training in Kenya: "I’m challenging myself daily on the world stage. ‘Riku One’ carries such a wonderful meaning—I can’t wait to meet it in person!"

Asuka Terada, hurdling champion, added: "The journey to September is intensifying. ‘Riku One’ captures the essence of striving for excellence. Let’s make this championship unforgettable!"

Inspiring the Next Generation

The event wasn’t just about celebration—it was about igniting the next generation’s passion for athletics. In a special session with local elementary school students, Yuji Oda and Kayoko Fukushi introduced them to the excitement of world-class competition.

With Riku One leading the way, the children eagerly joined in a dynamic warm-up, learned running techniques from Fukushi, and practiced sprinting and agility exercises. Oda reflected, "Seeing world-class athletes up close can be life-changing. Some kids may not know much about athletics yet, but this could be the moment that sparks a lifelong love for the sport".

A Visit to Tokyo’s Leadership

The excitement extended beyond the schoolyard as Yuji Oda and Riku One paid a courtesy visit to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. Dressed in an elegant Edo purple blazer—the official color of WCH Tokyo 25—Governor Koike expressed her enthusiasm for the championship’s growing momentum.

"Since Yuji Oda became Special Ambassador, we’ve seen an incredible surge of excitement. Ticket sales have been phenomenal! I hope he continues to spread the message with his signature ‘Oda phrases’—we want this event to be unforgettable, especially for the younger generation".

Oda responded with heartfelt passion: "Having covered the World Championships for decades, this Tokyo edition is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I want to see the stadium filled to capacity, with fans uniting in the thrill of world-class competition".

©Tokyo Metropolitan Government

The Final Stretch Begins!

With just 200 days to go, the road to World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 is heating up! From 13 to 21 September 2025, the world’s greatest athletes will compete on Japanese soil at the Japan National Stadium.

Join us for this electrifying journey with Riku One, a mascot that represents the spirit of the sport, the dreams of the next generation, and the unity of the entire athletics community.

The countdown is on so see you in Tokyo!