The European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands (March 6-9, 2025) will feature some of the world’s top performers in 2025, with ten athletes arriving as the global leaders in their respective events. With championship medals and national pride on the line, expect fireworks from the best in the sport.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen: Chasing Another Double
Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen has been in scorching form, setting a world-leading 1500m mark of 3:29.63 earlier this season. The reigning Olympic 5000m champion has already shattered indoor world records in the 1500m and mile this year and will aim for yet another 1500m-3000m double, which would bring his total European indoor titles to a record-equalling seven.
Oleh Doroshchuk & Yaroslava Mahuchikh: Ukraine’s High Jump Power Duo
Ukraine boasts the world’s best high jumpers this season, with Oleh Doroshchuk clearing a world-leading 2.32m in 2025, while Yaroslava Mahuchikh continues to dominate the women’s event with her 2.01m clearance. Mahuchikh, the reigning Olympic, world, and European indoor champion, is aiming for a third consecutive European indoor title, while Doroshchuk seeks his first major championship victory.
Mattia Furlani & Malaika Mihambo: Long Jump Stars in Top Form
Italy’s Mattia Furlani (8.37m SB) and Germany’s Malaika Mihambo (7.07m SB) are the top jumpers of 2025 so far. Furlani, just 20, has already broken the Italian indoor record and is emerging as a true rival to Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou. Mihambo, the 2019 world champion, is back to her best after injury struggles and will be the overwhelming favorite in Apeldoorn.
Max Hess & Leonardo Fabbri: Big Performances in the Jumps and Throws
Germany’s Max Hess leads the triple jump rankings with 17.41m, while Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri has been in career-best form, producing a 21.95m shot put effort this season. Both will be gunning for their first European indoor titles after years of near-misses at major events.
Sander Skotheim & Saga Vanninen: Multi-Event Leaders
Norwegian Sander Skotheim put together a stunning 6484-point performance in the heptathlon earlier this season, confirming his status as the man to beat in Apeldoorn. On the women’s side, Finland’s Saga Vanninen, a two-time European U23 champion, tops the pentathlon rankings with 4843 points (NR), and she’s looking to make the leap to senior glory.
Henriette Jaeger: Sprinting into the Spotlight
Norway’s Henriette Jaeger has stunned the athletics world with a 400m world lead of 50.41, establishing herself as a serious gold medal contender. The 21-year-old, who also excels in the heptathlon, is primed for a breakout moment at these championships.
Can They Convert World-Leading Marks into Gold?
Holding the world’s best mark is one thing, but delivering in a championship setting is another. With elite rivals in every event, the ten athletes leading the 2025 global rankings will need to prove they can perform under pressure. With European indoor titles, national records, and even world records on the line, Apeldoorn is set for an unforgettable weekend of athletics.