TOKYO, Japan — It has been four months since Christopher Taylor returned to the track, and that’s all the time he needed to leave a positive impression at the World Athletics Championships, reigniting a career and restoring self-belief.

Taylor, who served a two-year suspension for an anti-doping rule violation, used the global stage in Tokyo to showcase resilience, maturity, and a determination that suggests his comeback is only just beginning.

Competing in the men’s 200m semi-final, Taylor registered his second consecutive personal best, clocking 20.21 seconds, finishing fifth and missing out on a spot in the final. Still, for Taylor, who has had just a few months of training under his belt, simply being at the championship and delivering the performances and effort he delivered, was a victory in itself.

“I came out with a personal best, there’s nothing more I could be grateful for,” Taylor said after his performance. “The only thing I could have worked on better in that race is the execution, but I had some issues. Still, I came out with a personal best and I’m happy with it and I’ll move on to next season.”

The 25-year-old admitted that confidence was in short supply heading into ‘Worlds’ but credited his championship pedigree for pulling him through.

“Coming into this meet I had no confidence whatsoever,” Taylor revealed. “But I know that I am a championship person and I knew I would definitely come out here and run as best as I could. I feel like I did that and I’m grateful.”

It was not without its struggles. Aches and pains have been constant companions this season, and the semi-final round tested his physical limits.

“I was compensating on one of my legs, coming off the curve I cramped in my hamstrings, basically,” he explained. “I had to back off completely, then I tried to go again and my calf cramped.”

Still, Taylor’s determination saw him through, producing two personal bests at the championships and laying a foundation for the future.

“It’s just really motivating for me to know that I am this strong and this determined,” Taylor said. “After all that happened I came and made a national team and I’m at the World Championships. Coming here and running two personal bests is a stepping stone for me and tells me I can do great things.”

Looking ahead, Taylor is considering diversifying his programme to sharpen his 400m form.

“I will definitely be doing more 200m to get my 400m base and to get faster, for sure,” he said.