The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship began last night with a packed evening of action in Budapest as eight titles were decided and some of the biggest names in the sport claimed the first US$150,000 prizes.
A sold out crowd of 20,557 watched the three hour programme at the Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre, with the black infield, dramatic athlete entrances and almost constant music giving the new competition a very different feel from a traditional championship.
Mawdsley Bows Out of 400m
Sharlene Mawdsley provided the Irish interest on the opening evening, finishing seventh in the first women’s 400m semi final in 51.28 seconds.
Only the first four athletes from each race advanced to Saturday’s final. Olympic and world champion Marileidy Paulino won Mawdsley’s semi final in 49.58, ahead of Salwa Eid Naser in 49.67 and Nickisha Pryce in 49.72.
It was only Mawdsley’s second race in seven weeks following the hamstring tear which ruled her out of the European Championships. The Tipperary athlete placed 14th overall and received US$4,000 in prize money. The Irish Times
Henriette Jæger won the second semi final in 49.64, with Lieke Klaver and Aaliyah Butler also breaking 50 seconds.
Ingebrigtsen Delivers the Performance of the Night
Jakob Ingebrigtsen produced the standout track performance with a devastating finish in the men’s 5,000m final.
The Norwegian spent much of the race towards the rear before moving through the field over the closing laps. He still had plenty left when the serious racing began, covering the final lap in 54.39 seconds and surging clear inside the last 100 metres.
Ingebrigtsen won in a season best of 12:59.24, with Cole Hocker second in 13:00.05 and Parker Wolfe completing the top three in 13:00.13.
The victory carried particular weight after Ingebrigtsen underwent Achilles surgery earlier this year and feared he might not compete at all during the 2026 season. He is also entered in Sunday’s 1,500m, where a meeting with Josh Kerr could provide one of the races of the weekend.
Another Title for Duplantis
Mondo Duplantis brought the evening to a close with another commanding pole vault victory.
The Swede cleared every height at the first attempt up to and including 6.20m. Emmanouil Karalis kept the contest alive with a 6.15m clearance, but the Greek athlete could go no higher.
With the title secured, Duplantis raised the bar to 6.32m in pursuit of another world record. He was unable to negotiate it in the cold and windy conditions, but another major title was already safely in his hands.
Sondre Guttormsen took third place with 5.95m.
Russell and Tharp Lead American Hurdles Double
Masai Russell added the women’s 100m hurdles title to her growing collection with a winning time of 12.22 seconds.
The American world record holder held off Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, who finished second in 12.34, while Nadine Visser of the Netherlands took third in 12.39.
The men’s 110m hurdles produced one of the closest finishes of the night. Ja’Kobe Tharp crossed the line in 12.94, just one hundredth of a second ahead of fellow American Cordell Tinch. Bradley Franklin completed an American clean sweep in 13.01.
Hummel Profits From Ruthless Hammer Format
Germany’s Merlin Hummel caused the biggest surprise in the field events by winning the men’s hammer with a throw of 81.46m.
Home favourite Bence Halász finished second with 80.30m, while Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan took third with 78.90m.
Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg was eliminated without recording a mark after fouling his opening two throws. Under the shortened Ultimate Championship format, only the leading six athletes continued beyond the second round, leaving no room for Katzberg to recover.
In the women’s high jump, Yaroslava Mahuchikh cleared 1.99m to defeat Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, who managed 1.95m.
Larissa Iapichino secured her first senior global title in the women’s long jump. The Italian produced a best effort of 6.90m, with Britain’s Jazmin Sawyers second on 6.78m and Alyssa Jones third with 6.77m.
USA Claim First Title of the Championship
The United States became the first champions of the new competition by winning the mixed 4x100m relay in 39.64 seconds.
Jamaica pushed them to the line before finishing second in 39.72, while Great Britain and Northern Ireland took third in 40.26.
The preliminary rounds also set up an intriguing women’s 800m final. Keely Hodgkinson won the faster semi final in 1:57.57, while Diamond League champion Audrey Werro controlled the second race in 1:59.05.
Mark English will carry Irish hopes on Saturday when he contests the men’s 800m semi final at 5.34pm Irish time. Rhasidat Adeleke completes Ireland’s involvement when she races in the women’s 200m on Sunday.
