Lina Irawan
BUDAPEST — The second night of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest transformed the Hungarian capital into a cauldron of sprinting history, tactical masterclasses, and emotional breakthrough performances. Witnessed by athletics legends Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles from the trackside, the world’s elite athletes delivered a masterclass in modern track and field competition on Saturday (Sept 12).
Highlighting an unforgettable evening of sport was Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s blistering run in the women’s 100 meters, Kenny Bednarek shedding his perennial runner-up status to claim individual global gold, and veteran pole vaulter Sandi Morris finally capturing her elusive outdoor world title. With blistering times, tactical masterclasses, and national records tumbling, the innovative straight-final championship format proved its worth, keeping fans on the edge of their seats from the first gun to the final throw.
Main Facts: Records Fall as Global Titans Clash
The headline act of the evening belonged to American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who scorched to a sizzling 10.62 (-0.2m/s) in the women’s 100m. Registering the joint-seventh fastest time in history, Jefferson-Wooden held off a star-studded field, including Olympic champion Julien Alfred and a fast-finishing Sha’Carri Richardson. Her time not only secured the inaugural Ultimate crown but also established the fastest women’s 100m performance globally for the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 100m, America’s Kenny Bednarek banished years of near-misses and silver medals by powering to victory in 9.85 seconds (-0.6). In the field events, veteran American pole vaulter Sandi Morris finally climbed to the top step of a major outdoor global podium, clearing 4.90m to defeat compatriot Hana Moll on countback. Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi provided another signature moment of the night, shattering her own national javelin record with a massive throw of 68.92m to secure gold in the city where she claimed her 2023 world title.
Chronology of the Night: Session-by-Session Highlights
The Sprints: Jefferson-Wooden and Bednarek Shine
The action on the track was fast-paced and unrelenting. The women’s 100m final saw Jefferson-Wooden exploding from lane four right alongside lane-five rival Julien Alfred. Jefferson-Wooden maintained her composure through the driving headwind to cross first in 10.62. Alfred secured second in 10.74, while Richardson claimed third in 10.76.
In the men’s 100m, the narrative focused on consistency yielding breakthrough success. World champion Oblique Seville of Jamaica had entered the final as a slight favorite after cruising through his semifinal. In the medal race, Seville overhauled early leader Christian Coleman, only for Bednarek to emerge on his outside. Bednarek’s superior 200m endurance proved decisive in the final 20 meters, capitalizing as Seville’s technique unraveled under pressure to clock 9.85.
Mid-Distance and Quarters: Kebinatshipi and Paulino Unbeaten
Botswana’s 22-year-old sensation Collen Kebinatshipi capped off a flawless, unbeaten 2006 season in the men’s 400m. Executing a daring tactical shift, Kebinatshipi moved away from his trademark late kick to test his endurance against the world’s best, holding off USA’s Rai Benjamin (44.15) and Jereem Richards (44.23) to win in 43.39—moving into sole ownership of fifth on the world all-time list.
In the women’s 400m, Marileidy Paulino extended her remarkable streak to 12 consecutive victories across all disciplines this season. Overhauling early pace-setters Salwa Eid Naser and Lieke Klaver with 70 meters remaining, the Olympic champion secured gold in 49.07, ahead of Norway’s Henriette Jæger (49.28).
Technical Brilliance: Tentoglou, Morris, and Kitaguchi
Miltiadis Tentoglou made good on his pre-event promises in the men’s long jump. Following a disappointing Diamond League finale in Brussels, the Greek star bounced back with an 8.35m leap in round two, narrowly holding off European indoor champion Bozhidar Saraboyukov (8.34m) on countback.
Sandi Morris delivered the drama of the night in the pole vault. Aware that matching heights would not be enough against her younger rivals, Morris strategically passed at 4.85m and successfully cleared 4.90m under intense pressure, marking only the second time in history that two women have cleared 4.90m outdoors.
In the javelin, Haruka Kitaguchi saved her finest performance for a familiar stadium. Coached by legendary javelin icon Jan Železný, Kitaguchi launched the spear 68.92m, leaping from 23rd to joint-10th on the world all-time list and overtaking early leader Yan Ziyi of China.
Supporting Data: Key Statistics and Numbers
- 10.62s: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s winning time in the women’s 100m—the fastest time in the world this year and the joint-seventh fastest in history.
- 43.39s: Collen Kebinatshipi’s world-class 400m time, elevating the young Botswanan to sole fifth place on the all-time world rankings.
- 4.90m: The elite height cleared by both Sandi Morris and Hana Moll, a historic mark achieved only once previously in outdoor pole vaulting history.
- 68.92m: Haruka Kitaguchi’s new Japanese national record in the javelin.
- 12: Marileidy Paulino’s current unbroken streak of victories in the 400m for the 2026 season.
Official Responses and Athlete Reactions
The emotional resonance of the Budapest meeting was captured in the post-event remarks of the sport’s biggest names.
Reflecting on her dominant season and historical performance, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden shared:
"This feels amazing. I crossed the line with a smile on my face because only I know all the things I have done to get to this moment. When I got into the blocks today, I just told myself that this is my moment."
Looking forward to the 200m event on Sunday, she added:
"If I could win the double, it would just add to who I actually am. I am down to do things that haven’t been done before, I am down for innovation and for challenging myself."
Men’s 100m champion Kenny Bednarek, cheered on by legends Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles, reflected on his long-awaited individual global gold:
"This one was for the history books. Everything is a little bit more exciting than at the World Championships, but also this event brought a bit more pressure on me as there is a lot on the line."
Sandi Morris, visibly relieved after finally securing her first outdoor global crown after years of silver medals, joked about her tactical gamble:
"I decided to risk it for the biscuit. I had to battle really hard for that title."
Young American pole vaulter Hana Moll praised the innovative design of the Ultimate Championship:
"It is a lot less taxing not to have to do a preliminary round before the final. I think that is one of the reasons why we saw so many high bars, because everyone was fresh and ready."
Implications: A Glimpse into the Future of Athletics
The success of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest signals a significant shift in how track and field events can engage audiences and athletes alike. By eliminating preliminary rounds in favor of direct, high-stakes straight finals, the event maximized athlete freshness, directly contributing to world-leading times, national records, and historic jumps.
As athletes like Jefferson-Wooden and Bednarek eye rare sprint doubles on Sunday, and others like Paulino and Kitaguchi look toward final season appearances in London and beyond, the Ultimate Championship has successfully established itself as a premier destination for innovation, high-octane competition, and historic sporting achievements.
Asro
Pevita Pearce
rifanmuazin
Ali Ikhwan
Dwi Wanna
Raul Delapena Setiawan
Laily UPN
Ammar Sabilarrohman