Duplantis, Russell, Tharp and Ingebrigtsen Crowned Champions on Opening Night in Budapest

Posted by: Watch Athletics

Saturday, 12 September 2026

Armand Duplantis soared to the men’s pole vault title, Masai Russell and Ja’Kobe Tharp delivered blistering victories in the sprint hurdles, and Jakob Ingebrigtsen unleashed a devastating late kick to win the 5000m as the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships opened in spectacular fashion in Budapest on Friday, Sepetmber 11. Larissa Iapichino, Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Merlin Hummel also claimed Ultimate titles, while the United States came within 0.02 seconds of the world record in a thrilling mixed 4x100m relay at the National Athletics Centre.

Men’s pole vault

World record-holder Armand Duplantis cleared 6.20m to win the men’s pole vault. Duplantis produced a flawless series through the winning height, clearing 5.60m, 5.95m, 6.05m, 6.15m and 6.20m on his first attempts before making three unsuccessful attempts at a world record of 6.32m. The Swede added the Ultimate title to his two Olympic gold medals, three world outdoor titles, four world indoor crowns and five Diamond League trophies. Duplantis returned to the National Athletics Centre, where he won the second of his three world titles with 6.10m in 2023 and broke the world record with 6.29m in 2025.

This year’s Diamond League champion, Emmanouil Karalis, finished second after clearing 6.15m on his first attempt. Karalis and Duplantis have each surpassed the six-metre barrier 12 times this season. For the Greek vaulter, it was his sixth clearance over six metres in the past 25 days.

Sondre Guttormsen took third with 5.95m, beating Kurtis Marschall and Zachary Bradford on countback. It was only the second pole vault competition in history—and the first outdoors—in which five athletes cleared 5.95m or higher.

Armand Duplantis: “I approached this event with a combination of a lot of nerves and excitement. This was a missing piece for me, to become the Ultimate champion. With Manolo Karalis, I just want to give a huge shout-out to him and his team, and give a big hats-off for what they accomplished throughout this year. Pole vault is always the most exciting event out there but it is totally different now. I'm going to sing the anthem (Gold) on Sunday, so now I will be enjoying the city and getting some sleep."

Women’s 100m hurdles semifinals

Masai Russell won the first women’s 100m hurdles semifinal in 12.38, edging European champion Nadine Visser (12.40). Alaysha Johnson earned the third qualifying spot in 12.50, while Megan Simmonds beat Rayniah Jones by just five thousandths of a second to secure the fourth.

Devynne Charlton won the second semifinal in 12.45 ahead of Tobi Amusan (12.49) and European silver medallist Pia Skryszowska (12.62). Danielle Williams, who won the world title in Budapest 2023, finished fifth in her semifinal missing out on her spot in the final.

Women’s 100m hurdles final

World record-holder Masai Russell powered to the women’s 100m hurdles title in 12.22 in cool conditions, adding the Ultimate trophy to the Diamond League crown she won in Brussels last week. It was her ninth performance under 12.30 this season.

The victory capped a remarkable season for Russell, who set a world record of 12.09 in Zurich.

Masai Russell: “When I broke the world record, I said the job wasn't done because I knew we still had last week and then this week to handle and tackle, regardless of that world record,” she said. “The world record is just something to say, but it does not do anything for you in the heat of another race so I am glad I was able to come out here and get the job done. When you have 10 barriers to get over, it is just a different mentality. Once I get to the line, I am like: "I can breathe now. I did not finish he race in the semifinal of the World Championships in Budapest 2023. Coming back here after hitting the hurdle in 2023 and now being the Ultimate champion is a way to rewrite the story here,” she added. “I left here very sad three years ago. It was my first World Championships and now to be a record-holder and Olympic champion, with all of these records and accolades, and to do it at the Ultimate Championship on the same track – it just shows all the work. When failure occurs, it is not really a failure, it is just a setback that sets you up to win.”

Former world record holder Tobi Amusan took second place in 12.34 ahead of Nadine Visser (12.39) and Devynne Charlton (12.40) and Megan Simmonds (12.42).

Men’s 110m hurdles semifinals

USA’s Trey Cunningham won the first heat in 13.18 ahead of European champion Jason Joseph from Switzerland (13.26) and world record holder Ja’Kobe Tharp (13.27).

Bradley Franklin won the second semifinal in a lifetime best of 12.99, improving his previous mark by 0.01 and breaking 13 seconds for the first time. Jamal Britt placed second in 13.05. Franklin became the fifth hurdler to go under 13 seconds this year, the highest number ever to achieve the feat in a single season.

Men’s 110m hurdles final

World record-holder Ja’Kobe Tharp edged world champion Cordell Tinch in a dramatic men’s 110m hurdles final, winning in 12.94 to Tinch’s season-best 12.95. Tinch became the sixth athlete to break the 13-second barrier this season.

Tharp capped a dream season in which he set a world record of 12.75 at the NCAA Championships. Bradley Franklin, the runner-up at this year’s US Championships, completed an American sweep in 13.01, finishing 0.07 ahead of Trey Cunningham.

Ja’Kobe Tharp: "It sounds strange to be the NCAA champion only and then to win the Ultimate Championship, but my coach and I wanted to come out here and get the win – and I did it by a lean. If I had lost this race, it would have been the only championship that I have lost this year. I ran as hard as I could from the last hurdle to the finish line to get my way.

Women’s long jump

Italy’s Larissa Iapichino leapt 6.90m in the opening round to win the women’s long jump, one month after claiming European gold in Birmingham. Iapichino followed her winning mark with a 6.76m effort before fouling her final two jumps. Great Britain’s European silver medallist Jazmin Sawyers produced a best of 6.78m to finish second, repeating her placing from Birmingham. Alyssa Jones took third with 6.77m, ahead of Hillary Kpatcha (6.72m) and 2025 world indoor champion Claire Bryant (6.2m).

Larissa Iapichino: “I am adding a new title to my family and I'm really happy to win from my first attempt. The whole competition was so cool – having the attention for us long jumpers is always important so the atmosphere was great and the crowd was amazing. I love the pink sand. Can we have it more often? It’s a beautiful feeling, it means so much in a season that has given me a lot, and on a rather unique day, in honor of someone who is no longer here, of someone who left us today, or even in the past. I dedicate this win to Renata, who passed away this morning at the age of 99: she was the mother-in-law of my nanny, the person who raised me when I was little. After last year, I promised myself that I never wanted to feel the way I did in Tokyo again, when I missed out on the final in the World Championship qualifiers. I wanted to leave the runway knowing I gave it my all, and just follow my own path. But you never stop improving, and for next year, I will start over with even more determination. I have found the maturity I was looking for, together with my dad Gianni who coaches me, while also trying out new strategies. It’s beautiful to look back and see the progress."

Women’s high jump

Olympic champion and world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchik cleared 1.99m to win the women’s high jump. Mahuchik had a clean sheet at 1.91m and 1.95m before clearing 1.99m on her second attempt. Nicola Olyslagers claimed second place with 1.95m on her third attempt. This year’s Diamond League winner Eleanor Patterson from Australia and Angelina Topic shared third place with 1.91m.

The height of 1.95m made the difference. Ukraine’s Olympic bronze medallist Iryna Gerashchenko, Topić and Patterson failed their three attempts at 1.95m.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh: “I am so proud to be in the history of world athletics. This is the first Ultimate Championship, and I am the first Ultimate champion. I am so happy.”

Men’s 5000m

Olympic and European champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the men’s 5000 metres in a seasonal best of 12:59.24 ahead of world champion Cole Hocker (13:00.05) and this year’s Zurich Diamond League 3000m winner Parker Wolfe (13:00.13). Biniam Mehary from Ethiopia took fourth place in 13:00.24.

The leading group passed 3000m in 7:58.94 before the pace intensified over the final two kilometres. Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary led through 4000m in 10:33.25.

Ingebrigtsen sat fourth with 200 metres remaining before unleashing a devastating kick that left the field trailing. The Norwegian covered the final kilometre in 2:25 and the last lap in 54.39.

“I haven’t run too many 5000m races this year, or too many races at all, so I was a bit nervous,” said Ingebrigtsen, who added the Ultimate Championship title to his one Olympic, two world and four European titles over 5000m. He will now turn his focus to the 1500m on Sunday, where he will square off with Hocker and 2023 world champion Josh Kerr.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen: “Not many weeks ago I was telling my team that the 2026 season is far gone, but then it started to get a little bit better. Eventually I got my momentum going. I have gained a lot from the races in the last couple of weeks and I was running smoother and smoother. Being injured, I was fearing the worst outcome and did not know if I would be able to run at all, especially at this level. This is amazing, I am extremely happy.”

Men’s hammer throw

World silver medallist Merlin Hummel from Germany threw to 81.46m in the first round to win the men’s hammer throw. Hummel backed up this result with a second best mark of 81.44m. European silver medallist Bence Halasz from Hungary finished second with 80.30m in the first round on his only valid attempt. Mykhaylo Kokhan from Ukraine claimed third place with 78.00m. Olympic and world champion Ethan Katzberg failed to record a valid throw. The Canadian thrower threw beyond the 80 metres in the opening round, but it was a few metres wide of the sector. Only the top six athletes progressed beyond round two in the format used for the Ultimate Championships.

**Merlin Hummel: “***It is so overwhelming. Just two years ago I was in the top eight in the world, so then I was overwhelmed with the silver medal at the World Championships last year. I am used to being in the top three now, but winning the Ultimate title feels very special. I still cannot describe how I feel. All of athletes had problems with the wet circle so we had to adapt to it. I fell once and destroyed some cameras so I just had to adapt to the competition and stay relaxed." *

Mixed 4x100m relay

The United States quartet of Ronnie Baker, Anavia Battle, Courtney Lindsey and Kayla White won the mixed 4x100m relay in a national record of 39.64, missing by just 0.02 the world record set by Jamaica at the World Relays in Gaborone. Jamaica finished second in 39.72, while Great Britain took third in 40.28, one month after winning the European title in Birmingham.

Ronnie Baker: "It's really exciting to be the first ever Ultimate champions. The crowd is amazing and I really love the event itself, and the trophy is amazing. But it's also pretty heavy so I will need to keep it away from my kid!"

Men’s 400m semifinals

Botswana’s world champion Collen Kebinatshipi won the first semifinal in 44.23. Chris Bailey and world and Olympic 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin both clocked 44.28, while Jereem Richards secured the fourth qualifying spot in 44.44.

Jacory Patterson claimed the second semifinal in 44.73, edging European champion Matthew Hudson-Smith (44.75). Botswana’s Lee Eppie took third in 44.85, while European indoor champion and record-holder Attila Molnár qualified fourth in 44.97.

Women’s 400m semifinals

Olympic champion and four-time Diamond League winner Marileidy Paulino won the first semifinal in 49.58. Salwa Eid Naser finished second in 49.67, just ahead of Nickisha Pryce (49.72), while Roxana Gómez advanced in fourth place with 50.34.

European champion Henriette Jæger of Norway won the second semifinal in 49.64 ahead of European bronze medallist Lieke Klaver (49.72) and Aaliyah Butler (49.82). Martina Weil secured the fourth qualifying spot in 50.32, while European silver medallist Natalia Bukowiecka missed out on the final after placing fifth in 50.40.

Women’s 800m semifinals

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson won the first semifinal in 1:57.57 in her first race since the European Championships final, having missed the Diamond League meetings in Zurich and Brussels. Addison Wiley claimed the second qualifying spot in 1:58.14, holding off Oceania record-holder Sarah Billings of Australia (1:58.37) and Italian record-holder Eloisa Coiro (1:58.48).

European champion and Diamond League winner Audrey Werro won the second semifinal in 1.59.06 ahead of European bronze medallist Femke Bol Broeders (1:59.39), Nigist Getachew from Ethiopia (1:59.69) and Valentina Rosamillia from Switzerland (1:59.78).