“Iron sharpens iron.” Participation in the World Athletics Indoor Championships might be the perfect motivation for the Masai Russell to achieve unprecedented track performance. Following her victory in the Paris Olympics the track and field star aims to face the best competitors worldwide. She has dominated the track! Records shattered. But an unexpected decision has been made by the 24 year old.

Masai Russell accomplishing her first Olympic gold medal during women’s 100m hurdles in 2024 Paris event was just the beginning. And her latest performances in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix and at the women’s 60mH indoor event validate she is a true gem in the game. Russell overtook Devynne Charlton by establishing herself as the world leader for the women’s 60 mH indoor event after her Paris Olympics run during this year. Despite all this, the athlete has decided to step away from 2025 World Indoor Championships. Why?

Skipping the World Athletics Indoor Championships wasn’t an easy choice, but for Masai Russell, it was a necessary one. “No world indoors, what’s the reason behind that? Just because it’s very close to the outdoor season,” she explained in an interview with CITIUS MAG. “You know, I am a professional now, so I’m not in a rush to just go back and forth from competition to competition to competition.” Athletes changing from collegiate to professional sports need enhanced strategic planning methods for working between competitive gameplay and recovery while achieving peak performance levels. “For me personally and me mentally, I like to take a break before like spinning it up again.” It’s a mindset shift from relentless racing to smart, intentional preparation.

She’s thinking long-term. “I just think it’s going to set me up really great for the outdoor season because the season is very long this year, ends in September,” she said. The extended competitive period requires that athletes manage both their physical capacity for endurance and their psychological state of mind. “So I want to make sure that I am ready to run, my mindset is there, and you know, my cup is full going into World Outdoor.” She focuses on sustainability along with winning because she wants to show up to every major competition at peak form.

Masai Russell’s mindset is clear—she’s not thinking in short bursts; she’s thinking about the full marathon of the season. “World Indoors is very close to the first Grand Slam, so for me personally, you know, the goal is September,” Russell said. That statement speaks volumes as her main goal is the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.

Focused on the finish: Masai Russell’s bold strategy

Newly minted U.S. 60mH champion Masai Russell has been unstoppable this indoor season. At the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, she dominated with a 7.80-second finish. But she wasn’t done yet. A mere 0.04 seconds faster at the 117th Millrose Games, she further cemented her status as a top contender. Then came February 22, when Russell once again took center stage in the women’s 60mH indoor event. Grace Stark briefly held the world lead with a 7.75-second prelims run, but Masai had other plans.

In the final, she edged out Grace Stark by 0.01 seconds, reclaiming the world lead and securing the U.S. Indoor Championships title. And yet, despite this dominance, she’s stepping away from World Indoors next month. “I want to make sure I’m ready to run, my mindset is there, and my cup is full going into World Outdoors,” Russell explained as tweeted by CITIUS MAG on X. It’s a bittersweet moment for indoor track fans, but her vision is set on something greater.

As part of his 2025 season plan, Masai Russell has dedicated herself to achieving maximum accuracy along with achieving a clear intent. She has devoted complete attention to the outdoor circuit as she prepares detailed plans that will help her reach her peak at important times. Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are on whether she will be able to achieve another record with her focus being on the outdoor season.