The ultimate World Athletics Championships is already shaping up to be a truly epic one as the best prepare to battle it out.
The competition between the planet’s highest-ranked athletes is the centerpiece of the inaugural World Athletics Championships in Budapest, September 11-13. Proudly representing their countries and competing for the biggest prize basket in athletics, the contenders will have one goal in mind: to be the ultimate champion.
Only the world’s best athletes are eligible to compete, but even before the final line-up is decided over the summer, a number of stunning matches have already been confirmed, with reigning Olympic and world champions securing their places.
Here are the three most anticipated showdowns to watch on the track and field.
Women’s 100m – Melissa Jefferson-Wooden – Julien Alfred
Ultimate star Melissa Jefferson-Wooden excelled on the track last year, winning three gold medals at the world championships in Tokyo with top podium finishes in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m. The American athlete was also a silver medalist in the 100m race at the 2024 Olympics.
It was at those games that Julien Alfred enjoyed the biggest moment of his athletic life, winning 200m gold and 100m silver. Saint Lucia are finding their form again after injury and are aiming to come out on top.
Women’s 800m – Keely Hodgkinson – Audrey Verreau
Before this season, Keely Hodgkinson had never won a world title at home or away. The British athlete rectified that mistake in Poland in March, just days after breaking a 24-year-old short course world record set on her birthday.
It was an impressive comeback from the disappointment of bronze in Tokyo, when she would have been a likely contender for gold had she not been hampered by a double hamstring tear. However, she faces a huge threat this summer in the form of Audrey Verreau.
The 22-year-old Swiss has previously won the European under-20 and under-23 titles and this month beat Hodgkinson in a thrilling showdown in Stockholm in 1:53.98. It all makes for an interesting potential showdown in Budapest in September.
Women’s high jump – Jaroslava Mahuchych – Nikola Ollislagers
It will be another clash to watch as Ukraine’s world record holder and Paris Olympic gold medalist take on reigning world champions Australia. The two top athletes have had a number of close contests over the years, most recently at the World Indoor Championships in Poland, where Mahuchich won and Ollislagers was part of a three-way tie for silver.
For more information and to book tickets, visit: ultimateathleticschampionship.com
