X (Twitter)
On September 20, 2025, VIS Mentor Chase Jackson won a silver medal in shot put at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan with a throw of 20.21 meters.
Jackson has had a career year in the shot put. She won her third consecutive US Indoor National Championship with a throw of 19.65 meters and followed it up by claiming her third straight US Outdoor National Championship with a throw of 20.84 meters. She recently broke her own American record for shot put by throwing 20.95 meters (68 feet, 8 3/4 inches) at the Iron Wood Classic meet in Rathdrum, Idaho (old record: 20.76 meters from 2023). In addition, she set a new Brussels Diamond League meet record of 20.90 meters in August.
While Jackson came up just short of defending her gold medal wins from the past two years, her silver medal came after a variety of challenges.
“I was crying but those were tears of joy. Certain medals just mean a lot, and this one means a lot. That's how hard it was for me to grab it,” Jackson told the press after the final.
In-season Injury
Early in the season, Jackson suffered an injury to her middle knuckle, which is a very important finger for shot put technique.
“It hurts on extension, which is huge for a shot putter when you're trying to push on the ball. So I’m basically not able to flick it; I’m just throwing from my palm, or off my other two fingers. If you're a shot putter, you know that’s not the most ideal way to finish,” Jackson told the media after her US Outdoor National Championship win in August.
Jackson had to adjust her throwing form to account for this injury. She changed her start, threw primarily with her palm, and competed in most of her meets with some degree of pain. According to her Instagram, September 8—roughly two weeks before the World Athletics Championships—was her first time throwing without pain in months.
“I'm really trying to advocate for it now—that there's more than one way to look and be athletic or healthy. I just think it's a really important message, and I stand really strong in that.”
Competition Logistics
At the World Athletic Championships, the shot put qualifying round and final round occurred on the same day, only nine hours apart. This led to many logistical challenges for the shot put competitors. For Jackson, she had to wake up at 4:00 am in order to board her shuttle at 6:00 am (for a 10:00 am start time).
“I had to get on a shuttle at 6:00 because of how long it takes to get from the hotel to the training track,” Jackson told the media after the final. “And then I had to wait there and warm up like an hour before comp, because then I had to take another shuttle from the training track back to the competition track and sit again for probably another 20-30 minutes. Then we have another warm-up in the comp track.”
Jackson had to repeat this ordeal again five hours later for the final. In addition to the demanding schedule, the lengthy transportation between venues and the tight turnaround between the qualifying and final rounds took a physical toll on Jackson, who dealt with back pain throughout the day.
“I think if I had even just the night off—it'd be nice to have a day in between,” Jackson said. “I was kind of like, ‘Girl, suck it up. I know your back hurts, but you're about to have some months off. Just go.’ And I did. I think it was just kind of like the fire—I had a little bit more there. Not a lot, but there was enough.”
“I want people to know there's not one way to look like an athlete. There’s not one way to be beautiful”
Staying True to Herself
Despite the physical setbacks, logistical challenges, and pressure of international competition, Jackson remained committed not just to her performance, but to who she is at her core. Throughout the season, she continued to compete with her signature bold makeup looks—a personal expression of creativity and a statement about redefining what strength and femininity can look like in elite sport.
“It became really important to me to advocate for creativity and show girls that you don’t just have to be rough and tumble to try and make people respect you as an athlete,” Jackson said. “You can still be feminine, and people still need to respect what you’re doing.”
Just as important to her is promoting body confidence, especially for young women and girls in sports.
"I want people to know there's not one way to look like an athlete. There’s not one way to be beautiful,” Jackson said. “I'm really trying to advocate for it now—that there's more than one way to look and be athletic or healthy. I just think it's a really important message, and I stand really strong in that.”
Jackson’s silver medal in Tokyo was more than just a podium finish—it was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and authenticity. From battling a painful injury to navigating an intense competition schedule, she proved that excellence isn't about perfection, but perseverance.
And through it all, she continued to embrace her creativity and challenge definitions of what it means to be strong, feminine, and athletic. Jackson’s season stands as a powerful reminder that success is measured not only in meters thrown, but in the values we carry with us along the way.
