Thiam and Skotheim claim Décastar titles in Talence
Nafissatou Thiam made a triumphant return to combined-events competition by winning the women’s heptathlon at the Décastar in Talence, completing all seven events for the first time since her third Olympic triumph in Paris in 2024. In the men’s decathlon, Sander Skotheim prevailed in a thrilling battle with Hakim McMorris, overturning a narrow deficit during the final two events to secure the title by just 31 points.
Women’s heptathlon
Nafissatou Thiam won the Décastar heptathlon at the Stade de Thouars in Talence with 6482 points, successfully completing a full heptathlon for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The three-time Olympic champion, who won gold in 2016, 2021 and 2024, had not finished a heptathlon since withdrawing after the opening day of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The 32-year-old Belgian also missed the European Championships in Birmingham because of injury.
Despite her victory, Thiam fell short of the automatic qualifying standard for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, which is set at 6550 points.
“It was so important for my mindset to finish this season on a good note,” Thiam said. “It’s been a bit of a difficult, transitional year, but completing all seven events and winning gives me so much joy.
“Being back out here and competitive makes me think about the future. It would be absolutely incredible to be at the Olympic Games again in 2028, and this is a great step toward that long-term path.
“Whether I’ll be at the World Championships in Beijing next September? We will see. It’s only twelve months, so I have to manage my body carefully.”
Noor Vidts ended the opening day at the top of the standings with 3830 points, holding a slender 14-point advantage over Thiam.
Anna Elizabeth Ehlers moved into the overall lead after leaping 6.48m in the long jump, taking her total to 4754 points. Thiam followed with 4681, just one point ahead of Vidts.
Thiam then took control of the competition in the javelin, producing a throw of 51.51m worth 889 points. The performance lifted her into the lead with 5570 points. Ehlers threw 40.78m to move into second with 5436, while Vidts remained third with 5403 after reaching 42.91m.
Ehlers was the fastest in the concluding 800m, clocking 2:11.82 ahead of Vidts in 2:12.69 and Thiam in 2:13.66.
Thiam completed the competition with 6482 points, finishing 108 points ahead of Ehlers. The German improved her lifetime best to 6374 after setting personal bests in six of the seven events.
Overnight leader Vidts placed third with 6329 points, recording 6.00m in the long jump, 42.91m in the javelin and 2:12.69 in the 800m on the second day.
Vanessa Grimm finished fourth with 6256 points, followed by Beatrice Juskeviciute with 6223 and Mareike Rösing, who improved her personal best to 6167.
Men’s decathlon
European bronze medallist Sander Skotheim won the men’s decathlon with 8630 points, defeating overnight leader Hakim McMorris by only 31 points in a closely contested competition.
McMorris improved his personal best to 8599 points, while France’s Makenson Gletty secured third place with 8381—just one point ahead of Harrison Williams.
“Winning a battle like this over two days, especially with such a great sportsman like Hakim, is incredibly satisfying,” Skotheim said. “To finish the season on top here in Talence is the best possible way to head into the winter break.”
The Norwegian ended the opening day in third place with 4414 points, 57 behind leader McMorris and 13 behind Gletty.
Skotheim began the second day by winning the 110m hurdles in a season’s best of 14.13, keeping himself firmly in contention. Gletty clocked 13.90 and McMorris recorded 14.24.
After six events, McMorris remained in front with 5415 points, just one ahead of Gletty. Skotheim occupied third place with 5372.
McMorris protected his lead with a 46.55m throw in the discus. Skotheim reached 43.83m, while Gletty recorded 41.66m. Following seven events, McMorris led with 6214 points ahead of Skotheim’s 6155 and Gletty’s 6112.
Skotheim then cleared 5.31m to win the pole vault and collect 1007 points. McMorris managed a best of 5.01m, leaving him with a lead of only five points after eight events—7127 to Skotheim’s 7122.
The Norwegian moved into first place in the javelin after throwing 60.45m, compared with McMorris’ 57.55m. Skotheim consequently entered the decisive 1500m with 7867 points and a 39-point advantage over his American rival.
McMorris attempted to overturn the deficit by running 4:26.08 in the final event, but Skotheim stayed close with 4:27.27 and conceded only eight points. That secured the Norwegian the title with 8630 points, while McMorris finished with 8599.
McMorris improved his personal best by 179 points, surpassing the 8420 he recorded in Walnut in April.
The battle for third place was even closer. Gletty claimed the final podium position with 8381 points, edging Williams by a single point.
Jeff Tesselaar finished fifth with 8355, only two points ahead of Sven Roosen in sixth. Devon Williams placed seventh with 8288.
Two Olympic champions followed in the standings. Damian Warner finished eighth with 8238 points, while Paris 2024 gold medallist Markus Rooth placed ninth with 8209 in his first completed decathlon since winning the Olympic title. Karel Tilga rounded out the top 10 with 8195.
Dario Dester finished 11th with 8149 points after accumulating 4167 on the opening day. He ended the competition 169 points short of the Italian record of 8318 that he set in Ratingen on June 28.
