TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona senior Emma Gates has earned a spot on Team USA for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Gates placed third in the women's high jump at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on Aug. 1, clearing 1.91 meters (6-3 ¼) to match her personal best. The finish secured her place on the U.S. roster, as the top athletes at the meet advance to the world stage.
According to Arizona high jump coach Bob Myers, Gates was one of the two youngest athletes in the field. She entered the meet as the No. 1-ranked amateur in the country and is currently ranked 36th in the world by World Athletics.
"Being selected for the World Championships has been a dream for me since I started track 13 years ago," Gates said. "Not knowing the specifics on how qualification works, I thought I was out of the running to join Team USA this year, but the odds ended up in my favor. Getting to experience this while still being a collegiate athlete is so amazing to me. I'm extremely grateful for this experience, and I'm so excited to be competing against the best in the world and representing USA."
Earlier this year, Gates placed fourth at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships with a clearance of 1.88 meters, finishing behind three Olympians. She also won the 2024 Pac-12 outdoor high jump title and was named a 2025 indoor first team All-American. Off the track, she has earned recognition on the CSC Academic All-District Team, the USTFCCCA Women's All-Academic Team and multiple Pac-12 Academic Honor Rolls.
Head coach Andrew Dubs said, "We are so thrilled for Emma. This is an incredible honor for her to represent the USA at the highest level of our sport worldwide. We are so happy for her and look forward to her competing later this month."
"I am so proud of Emma," Myers said. "She is extremely dedicated and does all the little things to get better: lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, restoration. This year she has improved technically and in her fitness. She has out-jumped many Olympians this year and will be a tough jumper to beat in the next few years heading into the LA Olympics."
At the World Championships in Tokyo, Gates will compete in the first round on Sept. 18 with the final scheduled for Sept. 21. She departs for Japan on Sept. 11 and will return Sept. 22.
