World Athletics Championships 2025: Seamus Derbyshire on Embracing Authenticity
Hurdler Seamus Derbyshire discusses his social media breakthrough, mental health journey, and his goals for the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Picture the start line: as cameras scan the field, some athletes focus intensely, others hype up the crowd.
For 25-year-old 400m hurdler Seamus Derbyshire, though, it’s a moment to let his personality shine. His playful hair toss and blown kisses at July’s London Diamond League race went viral on TikTok, earning him international attention overnight.
Derbyshire explains that his pre-race routines are spontaneous and were never intended for fame. They are part of his commitment to being his authentic self after years of anxiety and mental health struggles.
In 2024, Derbyshire’s mental health challenges derailed his European and Olympic campaigns, forcing him to contemplate retirement. Instead, he revamped his approach: adding a coach, training solo, and introducing start-line rituals that reflect his personality.
The changes have paid off. This season, he clocked a personal best of 48.47 seconds in Prague, ranking him as the fifth-fastest Briton ever in the 400m hurdles and securing qualification for the World Championships.
Derbyshire, one of few openly gay male athletes, has also faced homophobic abuse online. Yet the overwhelming response has been positive, with fans grateful for a role model they never had in sport.
Eyes on Tokyo
Heading to his first World Championships, Derbyshire prioritizes enjoyment and learning over chasing records. He aims to soak up the experience and hopes to unveil new start-line routines if he advances through the rounds.
Derbyshire’s journey shows that embracing one’s true self can spark peak athletic performances and inspire others facing similar challenges.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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