Photos showcase individuality alongside performance at the world athletics championships in Tokyo

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Photos showcase individuality alongside performance at the world athletics championships in Tokyo

2025-09-20 20:48 Last Updated At：20:51

TOKYO (AP) — Amid the power and speed of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, it’s the details that tell another story. Tattoos, colorful nails, bold jewelry, and unique hairstyles showcase individuality alongside performance. And chalked hands, sweat-drenched brows and bare feet splashing through the steeplechase pit reveal the smaller moments behind world-class competition.

This photo gallery, curated by AP photo editors, features details from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo heading into the final weekend of competition.

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United States' Sha'Carri Richardson gestures after a women's 4 X 100 meters relay heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Colombia's Martha Araujo prepares for an attempt in the heptathlon shot put at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Shafiqua Maloney prepares to start a women's 800 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Kazakhstan's Daisy Jepkemei competes in a heat of the women's 3,000 meters steeplechase after losing a shoe at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Japan's Shota Fukuda gets ready for an attempt in the men's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Italy's Antonella Palmisano, who took the silver medal, stands on the track after the the women's 35 kilometers race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Christopher Bailey prepares to start a men's 400 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Venezuela's Yulimar Rojas competes in the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Shiann Salmon prepares to compete in women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Ukraine's Iryna Klymets prepares for an attempt in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Hungary's Bence Halasz rests in the men's hammer throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Nayoka Clunis competes in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Trinidad And Tobago's Jereem Richards prepares to start in the men's 400 meters final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Britain's Victoria Ohuruogu adjusts her footwear as she prepares to compete in the women's 400 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tattoos are seen on the legs of Jamaica's Ashanti Moore during women's 200 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Turkey's Tugba Danismaz pauses during the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

The hair of United States' Melissa Jefferson-Wooden as she competes in the women's 100 meters semifinal heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Poland's Ewa Swoboda displays body art after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Germany's Joshua Abuaku prepares to compete in the men's 400 meters hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Slovakia's Emma Zapletalova prepares to start a women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Twanisha Terry after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Italy's Leonardo Fabbri chalks his neck as he competes in the men's shot put final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

More Images

United States' Sha'Carri Richardson gestures after a women's 4 X 100 meters relay heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Colombia's Martha Araujo prepares for an attempt in the heptathlon shot put at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Shafiqua Maloney prepares to start a women's 800 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Kazakhstan's Daisy Jepkemei competes in a heat of the women's 3,000 meters steeplechase after losing a shoe at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Japan's Shota Fukuda gets ready for an attempt in the men's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Italy's Antonella Palmisano, who took the silver medal, stands on the track after the the women's 35 kilometers race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Christopher Bailey prepares to start a men's 400 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Venezuela's Yulimar Rojas competes in the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Shiann Salmon prepares to compete in women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Ukraine's Iryna Klymets prepares for an attempt in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Hungary's Bence Halasz rests in the men's hammer throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Nayoka Clunis competes in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Trinidad And Tobago's Jereem Richards prepares to start in the men's 400 meters final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Britain's Victoria Ohuruogu adjusts her footwear as she prepares to compete in the women's 400 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tattoos are seen on the legs of Jamaica's Ashanti Moore during women's 200 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Turkey's Tugba Danismaz pauses during the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

The hair of United States' Melissa Jefferson-Wooden as she competes in the women's 100 meters semifinal heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Poland's Ewa Swoboda displays body art after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Germany's Joshua Abuaku prepares to compete in the men's 400 meters hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Slovakia's Emma Zapletalova prepares to start a women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Twanisha Terry after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Italy's Leonardo Fabbri chalks his neck as he competes in the men's shot put final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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At top UN court, Myanmar denies deadly Rohingya campaign amounts to genocide

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Myanmar insisted Friday that its deadly military campaign against the Rohingya ethnic minority was a legitimate counter-terrorism operation and did not amount to genocide, as it defended itself at the top United Nations court against an allegation of breaching the genocide convention.

Myanmar launched the campaign in Rakhine state in 2017 after an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group. Security forces were accused of mass rapes, killings and torching thousands of homes as more than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring Bangladesh.

“Myanmar was not obliged to remain idle and allow terrorists to have free reign of northern Rakhine state,” the country’s representative Ko Ko Hlaing told black-robed judges at the International Court of Justice.

African nation Gambia brought a case at the court in 2019 alleging that Myanmar's military actions amount to a breach of the Genocide Convention that was drawn up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust.

Some 1.2 million members of the Rohingya minority are still languishing in chaotic, overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, where armed groups recruit children and girls as young as 12 are forced into prostitution. The sudden and severe foreign aid cuts imposed last year by U.S. President Donald Trump shuttered thousands of the camps’ schools and have caused children to starve to death.

Buddhist-majority Myanmar has long considered the Rohingya Muslim minority to be “Bengalis” from Bangladesh even though their families have lived in the country for generations. Nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982.

As hearings opened Monday, Gambian Justice Minister Dawda Jallow said his nation filed the case after the Rohingya “endured decades of appalling persecution, and years of dehumanizing propaganda. This culminated in the savage, genocidal ‘clearance operations’ of 2016 and 2017, which were followed by continued genocidal policies meant to erase their existence in Myanmar.”

Hlaing disputed the evidence Gambia cited in its case, including the findings of an international fact-finding mission set up by the U.N.'s Human Rights Council.

“Myanmar’s position is that the Gambia has failed to meet its burden of proof," he said. "This case will be decided on the basis of proven facts, not unsubstantiated allegations. Emotional anguish and blurry factual pictures are not a substitute for rigorous presentation of facts.”

Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi represented her country at jurisdiction hearings in the case in 2019, denying that Myanmar armed forces committed genocide and instead casting the mass exodus of Rohingya people from the country she led as an unfortunate result of a battle with insurgents.

The pro-democracy icon is now in prison after being convicted of what her supporters call trumped-up charges after a military takeover of power.

Myanmar contested the court’s jurisdiction, saying Gambia was not directly involved in the conflict and therefore could not initiate a case. Both countries are signatories to the genocide convention, and in 2022, judges rejected the argument, allowing the case to move forward.

Gambia rejects Myanmar's claims that it was combating terrorism, with Jallow telling judges on Monday that “genocidal intent is the only reasonable inference that can be drawn from Myanmar’s pattern of conduct.”

In late 2024, prosecutors at another Hague-based tribunal, the International Criminal Court, requested an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar’s military regime for crimes committed against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power from Suu Kyi in 2021, is accused of crimes against humanity for the persecution of the Rohingya. The request is still pending.

Photos showcase individuality alongside performance at the world athletics championships in Tokyo

Photos showcase individuality alongside performance at the world athletics championships in Tokyo

United States' Sha'Carri Richardson gestures after a women's 4 X 100 meters relay heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Sha'Carri Richardson gestures after a women's 4 X 100 meters relay heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Colombia's Martha Araujo prepares for an attempt in the heptathlon shot put at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Shafiqua Maloney prepares to start a women's 800 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Kazakhstan's Daisy Jepkemei competes in a heat of the women's 3,000 meters steeplechase after losing a shoe at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Japan's Shota Fukuda gets ready for an attempt in the men's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Italy's Antonella Palmisano, who took the silver medal, stands on the track after the the women's 35 kilometers race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Christopher Bailey prepares to start a men's 400 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Venezuela's Yulimar Rojas competes in the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Shiann Salmon prepares to compete in women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Ukraine's Iryna Klymets prepares for an attempt in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Hungary's Bence Halasz rests in the men's hammer throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Nayoka Clunis competes in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Trinidad And Tobago's Jereem Richards prepares to start in the men's 400 meters final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Britain's Victoria Ohuruogu adjusts her footwear as she prepares to compete in the women's 400 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tattoos are seen on the legs of Jamaica's Ashanti Moore during women's 200 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Turkey's Tugba Danismaz pauses during the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

The hair of United States' Melissa Jefferson-Wooden as she competes in the women's 100 meters semifinal heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Poland's Ewa Swoboda displays body art after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Germany's Joshua Abuaku prepares to compete in the men's 400 meters hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Slovakia's Emma Zapletalova prepares to start a women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Twanisha Terry after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Italy's Leonardo Fabbri chalks his neck as he competes in the men's shot put final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Sha'Carri Richardson gestures after a women's 4 X 100 meters relay heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Sha'Carri Richardson gestures after a women's 4 X 100 meters relay heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Colombia's Martha Araujo prepares for an attempt in the heptathlon shot put at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Shafiqua Maloney prepares to start a women's 800 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Kazakhstan's Daisy Jepkemei competes in a heat of the women's 3,000 meters steeplechase after losing a shoe at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Japan's Shota Fukuda gets ready for an attempt in the men's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Italy's Antonella Palmisano, who took the silver medal, stands on the track after the the women's 35 kilometers race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Christopher Bailey prepares to start a men's 400 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Venezuela's Yulimar Rojas competes in the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Shiann Salmon prepares to compete in women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Ukraine's Iryna Klymets prepares for an attempt in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Hungary's Bence Halasz rests in the men's hammer throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jamaica's Nayoka Clunis competes in the women's hammer throw qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Trinidad And Tobago's Jereem Richards prepares to start in the men's 400 meters final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States' Katie Moon gets ready to compete in the women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Britain's Victoria Ohuruogu adjusts her footwear as she prepares to compete in the women's 400 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tattoos are seen on the legs of Jamaica's Ashanti Moore during women's 200 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Turkey's Tugba Danismaz pauses during the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

The hair of United States' Melissa Jefferson-Wooden as she competes in the women's 100 meters semifinal heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Poland's Ewa Swoboda displays body art after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Germany's Joshua Abuaku prepares to compete in the men's 400 meters hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Slovakia's Emma Zapletalova prepares to start a women's 400 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Twanisha Terry after finishing a women's 100 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Italy's Leonardo Fabbri chalks his neck as he competes in the men's shot put final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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