Nafissatou
Thiam
Belgium
·
Athletics
Date of birth | August 19, 1994 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Namur, Belgium |
Age | 31 |
Nationality | Belgium |
Career start | 2015 |
Disciplines | High Jump / Heptathlon / Pentathlon |
Nafissatou 'Nafi' Thiam's rise to the top of her sport has been a fast one. After winning the European Junior Championships in 2013 and silver at the European U23 Championships, this time in the high jump, she wasted little time in reproducing her early successes at senior level.
Heading into the Rio Games in 2016, she was a relative unknown outside the heptathlon world, but once she had the gold round her neck, she became an overnight star.
Just a year later, in August 2017, she backed up that title by winning gold at the World Athletics Championships in London, which, this time, she went into as hot favourite. Not that she let the pressure phase her, producing a commanding performance throughout the seven events.
Catwalk shows and championship medals
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, the naturally shy athlete had to learn how to deal with the attention and even embrace it. Such was her star power that in 2018, she was invited to walk the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week by acclaimed designer Virgil Abloh. “That was so cool!” she said. “I was a little bit stressed I’d fall and ruin the show.”
Having strutted her stuff on the catwalk, Nafi returned to doing what she does best in 2019 at the World Athletics Championship in Doha. However, an elbow injury hindered her performance in the javelin, and she was unable to match her usual high standard.
Yet, even with an injury, the Belgian still claimed the silver medal and proved that, without a doubt, she is one of the best heptathletes in the world.
A fact she has underlined again and again, claiming gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021 with a commanding performance before 2022 saw her score 6,947 in Eugene, Oregon, to become World Champion and 6,628 in Munich, Germany, to complete the full set of titles at the European Championships.
Setting new records
Injury denied Nafi the chance to defend her world title in 2023, with the Belgian superstar choosing to focus on her recovery, which proved to be a smart move as she returned to top form at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Italy.
Nafi set a PB in the 800m and a new championship record of 6,848 points on her way to a resounding victory.
Later that year, the Belgian competed at her third Games and duly delivered another standout performance to win a record-setting third gold medal in the heptathlon.
Focusing on what she can control is important for Thiam's mindset
© Matt Bouch/Red Bull Content Pool
Thiam in action at the European Championships
© Daniel Kopatsch/Red Bull Content Pool
Thiam has won numerous medals during her hugely successful career
© Daniel Kopatsch/Red Bull Content Pool
Nafi Thiam's favourite part of the heptathlon is the diversity of events
© Matt Bouch