Anavia Battle Sets the Sprinting World on Fire: A Serious Threat to Shericka Jackson and Gabby Thomas
The sprinting scene is witnessing a potential shift as Anavia Battle emerges as one of the sport’s most exciting new talents, prompting a strong warning from American sprint legend, Justin Gatlin. With the 2025 season gaining momentum, the established stars of track and field, including Shericka Jackson, Gabby Thomas, and Sha’Carri Richardson, are facing fresh competition from this rising American athlete.
Battle, who has been steadily gaining recognition for her exceptional performances, has caught the attention of industry veterans like Justin Gatlin. Known for his accomplishments, including a 2004 Olympic 100m gold, Gatlin is enthusiastic about Battle’s capabilities. He commended her recent achievements, noting that she had managed to triumph in two races during her China trip, overcoming jet lag and extreme conditions with ease.
“Listen, she got through the gauntlet, she came out on top and dropped a 22.38 on the other side of the world,” Gatlin said on the Ready Set Go podcast, referring to her victory over Shericka Jackson at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen. Battle also clinched the 200m title in Shanghai, further proving her growing dominance in the sprinting world.
For Gatlin, Battle’s resilience in tough conditions is a testament to her potential. “If you’re able to go out there and battle through different nutrition and extreme jet lag… it means she is on a roll,” Gatlin added. With her impressive performances on the global stage, Battle is increasingly seen as a formidable force in the 100m and 200m races.
Adding to his praise, Gatlin highlighted that Battle’s presence in the upcoming Grand Slam Track events would be an exciting prospect. “That is somebody I would love to see in the Grand Slam,” he said, acknowledging her impressive times in both the 100m and 200m. Competing in such prestigious events would provide her with more opportunities to build recognition and secure a significant prize purse. “She will be a very formidable opponent and a very threatening challenger,” Gatlin remarked, emphasizing how Battle could disrupt the status quo in sprinting.
With upcoming races, including the next leg of the Grand Slam Track in Philadelphia, all eyes will be on Anavia Battle as she continues to rise through the ranks, shaking up the sprinting world and perhaps changing the dynamics of the sport for years to come.
