Six of the seven fastest performances in history have been achieved in just the past 13 months. Defending champion Devynne Charlton, who set a world record of 7.65 when winning in Glasgow last year, will face Ditaji Kambundji, who came within 0.02 of Charlton’s world record when winning the European indoor title earlier this month. USA’s Grace Stark and Nadine Visser of the Netherlands also cannot be discounted. The last individual track final of the championships is set to be a thriller.

All-round greatest

Pound for pound, the heptathlon arguably offers the best value at an indoor championships as there are essentially seven disciplines for the price of one. European indoor record-holder Sander Skotheim got off to a strong start on Saturday and is on pace for yet another big score. But USA’s Heath Baldwin, Estonia’s Johannes Erm and Germany’s Till Steinforth are also close behind. A lot could happen in the final three disciplines.

Reaching new heights

World and Olympic high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh is here to reclaim her world indoor title, having surrendered it last year in Glasgow. If the Ukrainian succeeds, it would mean she holds all three global titles – Olympic, world, and world indoor – at the same time, alongside European indoor and outdoor crowns. But Nicola Olyslagers won’t give up her title without a fight, while 2022 world champion Eleanor Patterson and rising talent Angelina Topic are also ones to keep an eye on.

Double gold beckons

Jakob Ingebrigtsen has already completed the first half of what he hopes will be a distance double here in Nanjing, taking the 3000m title on Saturday. He now turns his attention to the 1500m – a distance he considers to be his main event, despite having never won a world title at that discipline, indoors or outdoors. This is the Norwegian’s opportunity to banish some demons – provided, of course, there isn’t another surprise winner.

Baton bonanza

Ending a major championships with relays is a winning formula: six teams of four athletes completing eight laps of the track at high speeds, all while trying to get the baton home safely. The men’s final is first up, following 10 minutes later by the women’s final. USA will start as the heavy favourites for both, but surprises can never be ruled out.