Rumesh Pathirage has sent Sri Lanka into raptures after capping his stunning breakthrough season with victory in the men’s javelin at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The dominant Sri Lankan has enjoyed a phenomenal year, winning 11 of his 12 competitions. His season highlights include a world-leading 92.62m in Rome, a 92.07m victory in Zurich, and the Diamond League title.

Pathirage Overcomes Slow Start

The pre-competition favourite made an inauspicious start in Budapest.

Pathirage opened with a modest 75.89m, while European champion Julian Weber immediately seized the early lead with an 84.09m throw.

Germany’s advantage did not last long.

Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada produced an 86.18m effort in the second round. Weber responded with 85.89m to remain second, while Pathirage began to find his rhythm with 85.69m.

Sri Lankan Takes Control

Pathirage seized control in the third round.

He launched the javelin to 87.11m to move into the lead. Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem also produced a season’s best of 81.49m in the same round.

However, Nadeem remained fifth and was eliminated before the fourth and final round.

Pathirage then produced his biggest throw of the competition.

He opened the final round with a thunderous 91.09m, becoming the first athlete to record a 90-metre throw on Hungarian soil.

Peters closed his series with 82.63m, while Weber managed 78.75m. Pathirage’s victory was therefore sealed.

Pathirage Sets His Sights on Olympic Gold

The Sri Lankan star made his ambitions clear after securing the Ultimate Championship trophy.

“This was my one and only goal – to bring the trophy back to Sri Lanka,” Pathirage said. “I faced a lot of challenges today but I was still hoping to win and I’m proud I did it. I was never thinking about the prize money and I don’t have any idea yet how I will spend it. Sri Lankan athletes have won two Olympic medals so far and my next goal is to bring the Olympic gold medal home.”

With another major title secured, Pathirage now turns his attention to the upcoming Asian Games.

His extraordinary 2026 season has established him as one of the biggest forces in global javelin, and he will look to carry that momentum into the next stage of his career.

The much-anticipated men’s 1500m at the inaugural World Ultimate Championship lived up to its billing, delivering a tactical thriller on the same track where Josh Kerr claimed his breakout global crown three years ago.

Kerr mastered a fast early tempo set by Germany’s Robert Farken and a later surge from America’s Yared Nuguse. The British star stayed buried in the pack before unleashing his trademark devastating finish.

The 28-year-old clocked 3:29.35, lowering his own Hungarian all-comers’ record by 0.03 seconds. He held off Australia’s Cam Myers to secure another global title.

Kerr Produces a Devastating Finish

The race opened at a swift pace before Nuguse injected another surge with 500m remaining.

He led the field through 1200m in 2:49.91, forcing the pace as the contenders began to position themselves for the finish.

Kerr remained patient in the pack.

With 300m to go, he smoothly moved onto Nuguse’s shoulder. The Briton had timed his move perfectly and was now in position to unleash his finishing speed.

Kerr covered the final 200m in a blistering 26.02 seconds.

Myers stayed close throughout the homestretch and gave everything in pursuit. However, he could not match Kerr’s final burst.

Kerr crossed the line first in 3:29.35, followed by Myers in 3:29.68.

America’s Hobbs Kessler finished third in 3:30.74, ahead of Olympic champion Cole Hocker, who also clocked 3:30.74.

Kerr Praises the New Competition

Kerr revealed that his limited racing this season helped him arrive in Budapest fresh.

“I didn’t race a lot this season so I kind of came here fresh and ready to go,” said Kerr. “Cameron is an awesome athlete, he was pushing a lot but I managed to look at the screen and see what the gap was.”

The British star also offered strong support for the new event.

“This sport has moved on in the past couple of years, and I’m impressed where it is now. Anything that can move the sport in the right direction and do good for athletes, I support.”

Myers Has No Regrets

Despite finishing second, Myers was delighted with his performance.

“I ran the perfect race,” he said. “I thought with 200m to go that I was going to win and that is an exciting feeling. Josh was just too strong today and that shows why he is a world record-holder.”

The victory adds another prestigious title to Kerr’s growing resume. It complements his 2023 outdoor world crown and his two world indoor 3000m titles.

Marco Arop looked set to reclaim glory on the same track where he won the 2023 world title. But Djamel Sedjati had other plans.

The Algerian produced one of the finest 800m performances ever at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26, surging past Arop in the closing stages to win the men’s 800m final in 1:41.91.

Arop led with 200 metres remaining but could not reproduce his previous triumph in Budapest. The result again highlighted the Canadian’s need to sharpen his finishing kick.

Sedjati Times His Attack Perfectly

Sedjati executed his tactical plan to perfection.

Arop pushed a rapid opening lap of 49.67, with world and Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi close behind. Sedjati remained patient and stayed within striking distance.

As Arop’s momentum began to fade on the final straight, Sedjati made his move.

With just 25 metres remaining, the Algerian surged past the leader and powered to victory in 1:41.91.

Arop held on for second in 1:42.28, while Wanyonyi finished third in 1:42.44.

Seven Athletes Break 1:43

The depth of the race was extraordinary.

All of the top seven finishers dipped under 1:43.

USA’s Brandon Miller finished fourth in 1:42.54. Italy’s Francesco Pernici followed in fifth with a national record of 1:42.67.

The victory marked a career-defining breakthrough for the 27-year-old Sedjati.

He secured his first global title after previously winning world silver medals in 2022 and 2025, along with an Olympic bronze in 2024.

Sedjati Celebrates First Global Title

Sedjati was delighted after finally converting his major championship experience into gold.

“That was very tactical but also very fast, and I am really happy to have won this race today,” Sedjati reflected. “This is the first title for me so I’m incredibly happy and grateful to everyone who supported me.”

Looking beyond the USA as winners in the mixed 4x400m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26 was simply a fool’s errand.

It would have taken an absolute miracle for the powerhouse nation to lose this relay. In the end, pure class prevailed as the red, white and blue ran away with the title.

As the reigning world champions and world record-holders, the victory felt entirely fitting. A minor slip-up at the 2024 Olympics briefly halted their momentum, but the United States has otherwise dominated the event in recent years.

The Americans have won world titles in 2023 and 2025, triumphed at this year’s World Relays, and set a staggering four world records.

USA Storms to Victory in Budapest

Returning to the same venue where they won their 2023 world title, the US quartet crossed the line in 3:08.32.

The performance also shaved nearly half a second off the Hungarian all-comers’ record they established three years earlier.

Chris Bailey set the tone from the opening leg. He surged ahead with a blistering 44.73 split.

Alexis Holmes kept the USA at the front. However, a fierce 49.37 split from the Netherlands’ Lieke Klaver kept the Dutch team within striking distance.

Jacory Patterson then extended the American advantage on the third leg before handing the baton to Aaliyah Butler.

Great Britain Fight Back for Silver

Behind the leaders, Great Britain & NI moved into medal contention on the anchor leg.

Charlotte Henrich hunted down the Netherlands and overtook Myrte van der Schoot with roughly 200 metres remaining. That move secured silver for Great Britain.

At the front, however, Butler remained untouchable.

Her steady 49.47 final leg sealed the USA’s victory in 3:08.32.

Great Britain finished second in 3:09.40, just 0.17 seconds ahead of the bronze-winning Dutch squad.

Standout Splits Across the Field

Several individual performances also stood out further down the results.

Jamaica’s Stacey Ann Williams produced a rapid 48.72 split, helping her team finish sixth.

Hungary’s Attila Molnar also impressed with a blistering 43.90 split, guiding the hosts to eighth place.

Holmes, who previously anchored the US team to gold at the same Budapest stadium in 2023, praised the group’s chemistry after another dominant performance.

“The atmosphere with this team was so good,” reflected Holmes. “Whenever the USA puts a team together, they put together a group they trust, people with the character to go out there and make it happen, and that is what we had today.”

Gianmarco Tamberi has never needed an introduction, but his latest masterpiece in Budapest delivered a powerful reminder that high jump’s ultimate showman is far from finished.

With “showtime babe” inked onto his inner forearm, the Italian eccentric delivered a Hollywood-worthy performance on Sunday. He cleared a world-leading 2.37m to win the high jump title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

The clearance marked Tamberi’s best in more than two years. It also signalled a roaring return to form for the 34-year-old, suggesting he still has plenty of soaring left in the seasons ahead.

Tamberi Turns Budapest Into His Stage

Returning to the Hungarian capital, where he won his brilliant 2023 world title, Tamberi once again made the competition his personal stage.

USA’s JuVaughn Harrison cleared 2.30m for silver. Mexico’s Erick Portillo took bronze on countback at 2.26m.

But the night belonged to Tamberi and his trademark mix of theatrical energy and fierce competitive grit.

He opened smoothly at 2.22m and 2.26m, clearing both heights on his first attempts. A brief hiccup came at 2.30m before Tamberi tightened his tactical grip on the competition.

As the bar rose, so did the theatrics.

Before attempting 2.33m, Tamberi famously quieted the stadium and flashed his inscribed forearm towards the crowd. He then sailed over the bar on his first attempt.

At 2.35m, the music returned. A rhythmic stadium clap followed and helped propel him cleanly over once again.

Tamberi Seals the Ultimate High Jump Crown

Tamberi produced another clutch clearance at 2.37m, clearing it on his second attempt.

Harrison bowed out at 2.39m, leaving Tamberi with the title secured.

The Italian then took aim at 2.41m. He made three ambitious attempts but could not clear the height.

That did little to dampen a magical night.

“It was already predicted – showtime, you know!” Tamberi beamed during his trackside interview, pointing directly to the ink on his arm. “It’s not thanks to me; it’s thanks to the people who are there. My friends, my family – all the people here who support me. You were crazy, guys. You pushed me over my limits.”

A Powerful Comeback for Tamberi

The victory carries enormous significance for an athlete who has spent recent years battling injuries and doubt.

Tamberi opened his season modestly in July before winning his fourth European title in August. He also admitted that returning to the top required overcoming major psychological hurdles.

“I started the season probably 14th in the world rankings, so this really was a comeback,” Tamberi reflected. “My career was very tough because, if I look at the ups and downs, I cannot even say which one was the most difficult to come back from. After I was not able to get to the final in Tokyo last year, people started to say that it’s my time to retire – it was difficult to hear and to struggle against all these feelings. Finally, I’m here with 2.37m. Now I can say to everyone: ‘Never stop believing in your dreams, never put a limit on yourself’.”

By the time Tamberi completed his three attempts at 2.41m, he had achieved far more than a medal.

He reclaimed his territory, silenced the retirement chatter and reminded the high jump world that when the showman is healthy, he remains a force to watch.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has firmly seized the throne of global sprinting, with the American star emerging as a major force through to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The world champion ignited the track at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26, storming to a sensational 21.47-second victory in the 200m. The performance ranks as the third-fastest time in history and secured her Ultimate sprint double.

Just 24 hours after blazing to a world-leading 10.62 in the 100m, Jefferson-Wooden returned to the track and delivered another statement performance.

Jefferson-Wooden Takes Control

The 200m showdown had been building since Thursday’s lane draft.

Jefferson-Wooden strategically chose to line up next to Olympic champion Gabby Thomas in the semifinals. Thomas won that preliminary heat in 21.88, with Jefferson-Wooden second in 22.15.

However, it soon became clear that the 100m champion had been pacing herself for the ultimate prize.

When the gun fired for the final, Jefferson-Wooden exploded from the blocks. She quickly erased the stagger on Thomas and established a comfortable lead by halfway.

Thomas was expected to mount a late charge. Instead, Jefferson-Wooden continued to pull away with every stride.

She crossed the line in an astonishing 21.47.

Thomas finished second in 21.77, while fellow American Kayla White completed a clean sweep of the podium in 21.93.

European champion Amy Hunt finished fourth in a season’s best 22.10.

Jefferson-Wooden Stunned by 21.47

Even Jefferson-Wooden was surprised by the speed she produced.

“I did not see 21.47 coming tonight!” said a stunned Jefferson-Wooden. “I told myself that I need to be smart in the semi-final and save some energy. I never thought that people like Usain Bolt would watch my races and even have great reactions to my performances. He said to me earlier this week how proud he is of me for making it seem so easy.”

She also credited her support system for helping her produce the milestone performance.

“I told my husband that whatever happens tonight, it will happen because of him. That’s what the scream was for when I crossed the finish line. I was thinking I could run this fast in maybe two years but not tonight. I really have no words.”

Thomas Praises the Ultimate Format

Despite missing out on gold, Thomas remained positive about the high-calibre race and the competition’s innovative format.

“It was a very competitive race,” Thomas said. “To be disappointed with a second-place finish on the global stage shows how far I have come. I liked this Ultimate from the beginning; the lane draft was a lot of fun. I think in the future whoever is ranked first should either get to pick what order they are in and I also think that first place in the semi-finals should get to pick the lane draw in the final.”

Jefferson-Wooden now leaves Budapest with both sprint titles and a powerful statement ahead of the road to Los Angeles 2028.

The most electrifying rivalry in global athletics has pushed middle-distance racing into a thrilling new era. Audrey Werro, Keely Hodgkinson and Femke Broeders-Bol are not just competing against each other. They are pushing the limits of the sport.

That rivalry reached another peak at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26, where Werro strengthened her status as the world’s leading 800m runner.

Werro Takes Control of the 800m

Hodgkinson had dominated the discipline at the start of the year. She stormed to a world indoor record of 1:54.87 before winning the world indoor title in a championship record 1:55.30.

The outdoor season, however, belonged to Werro.

After winning at the Diamond League meeting in Rabat, the Swiss star built an unbeaten run outdoors. She repeatedly finished ahead of both Hodgkinson and Femke Broeders-Bol, the celebrated two-time world 400m hurdles champion who recently moved into the 800m.

Werro’s blistering sub-1:54 performances in Stockholm, Paris and Zurich also sparked world record speculation.

Her personal best of 1:53.70 is just 0.42 seconds outside the long-standing world record. She also owns three of the five fastest times in history.

Werro Wins the Budapest Battle

Budapest offered a different challenge. The focus was on winning the crown rather than chasing the clock.

Werro entered as the favourite, while Broeders-Bol had narrowed the gap in their recent tactical battles. Hodgkinson also remained a major threat, having handed Werro her last defeat.

Werro took control immediately and dictated the pace.

She led through the opening lap in 57.83, with Broeders-Bol close behind. Hodgkinson stayed just a stride back.

With 200 metres remaining, the field began to compress. Werro then found another gear and surged into the home straight.

Hodgkinson, who had wisely skipped the Diamond League Final as a precautionary measure, responded strongly. She passed Broeders-Bol in the closing metres.

However, neither challenger could catch Werro.

The Swiss star crossed the line in 1:55.88. Hodgkinson finished second in 1:56.26, while Broeders-Bol took third in 1:56.74.

The podium mirrored the exact 1-2-3 finish from the European Championships.

Werro Reflects on Unbeaten Outdoor Season

Werro was delighted with another victory and the results of her hard work.

“I’m so happy with the race,” Werro reflected. “I think I have won every race I’ve had this year during the outdoor season. It is really crazy but, at the same time, it is something I have worked for and now I am getting the result.”

Hodgkinson also took positives from her runner-up finish.

“I’m actually quite proud with how this race turned out. I wanted to win and it ended up pretty close. These are some amazing women, and we all push each other.”

Broeders-Bol also reflected on a memorable transition year.

“My season is done and now I can say that I really love this event. I’ve loved all of this year even more than I expected. This third place means a lot.”

With all three stars continuing to push each other, the women’s 800m appears set for an even more compelling future.

Miltiadis Tentoglou has added the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship crown in Budapest to his remarkable collection. The Greek long-jump star claimed one of the few major titles missing from his resume.

For one of athletics’ most consistent competitors, the victory capped one of the finest seasons of his career.

Despite missing the Diamond League title in Brussels just a week earlier, Tentoglou bounced back immediately. He opened with an 8.16m jump before producing the winning mark of 8.35m in the second round.

Tentoglou Holds Off Saraboyukov

The competition went down to the wire, as it often does when Tentoglou takes to the runway.

European indoor champion Bozhidar Saraboyukov pushed him all the way. The Bulgarian produced an 8.34m final-round effort that briefly threatened to snatch the gold.

However, Saraboyukov had to settle for silver after falling just 1cm short of Tentoglou.

World indoor heptathlon champion Simon Ehammer finished third with 8.07m. Meanwhile, Brussels victor Tajay Gayle placed fifth with 7.90m.

Another Global Title for Tentoglou

The Budapest triumph adds another major honour to an already glittering resume.

Tentoglou now has two Olympic gold medals, a 2023 world title, two world indoor crowns, four European outdoor titles and three European indoor titles.

Yet his drive to jump farther remains as strong as ever.

“I always say that jumping far is more important to me than winning, but tonight I was happy to add another global title to my collection,” Tentoglou reflected. “I was hoping to jump farther tonight, but I’m happy that I still had my best season ever; I had so many jumps over 8.40m and 8.50m, and I improved my PB to 8.66m.”

With a historic season now complete, Tentoglou’s pursuit of bigger distances continues. For athletics’ ultimate competitor, there appears to be little sign of that hunger fading.