Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Kenny Bednarek have both achieved new career highs by winning the title of World Ultimate champion in the 100m at the inaugural World Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
Jefferson-Wooden clocked 10.62 seconds, a mere hundredth off her personal best from the 2025 World title. Despite slower conditions with cooler weather and a slight headwind compared to previous races, she described the event as the best 100m of her life. Reflecting on her performance, Jefferson-Wooden stated, “When I got to that start line today, I told myself that this is your moment and you need to stand in it.”
Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist, finished second in 10.74 seconds, followed by Sha’Carri Richardson, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, in 10.76 seconds. Jefferson-Wooden’s impressive streak continues, having only one 100m defeat since winning bronze at the Paris Games.
Meanwhile, Bednarek made headlines by running 9.85 seconds to defeat Oblique Seville of Jamaica, the 2025 World champion. Known for his achievements in the 200m event, Bednarek emphasized the significance of this win after a series of silver medals. He remarked, “To get a win over a good event like this, it definitely means a lot because it just proves that I’m capable of doing it and I belong here.”
The Ultimate Championship concludes Sunday, with races including the men’s and women’s 200m and 400m hurdles, plus the men’s 1500m. The event gathers top-ranked athletes every two years, offering $150,000 in prize money for winners, part of a total pool of $10 million.
Another standout performance came from Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi, who ran the joint-fifth-fastest 400m in history at 43.39 seconds, beating American Rai Benjamin by 76 hundredths. Kebinatshipi, the 2025 World champion, has broken 44 seconds six times in 2026.
Audrey Werro from Switzerland continued her triumphant season by winning the women’s 800m in 1:55.88, decisively ahead of 2024 Olympic gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson. Werro’s progression in the 800m is remarkable, with several performances among the fastest times recorded since the 1983 world record.
In the women’s 400m, Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic kept her winning streak alive, securing victory in 49.07 seconds. Sandi Morris claimed her first prominent outdoor pole vault title by clearing 4.90 meters, defeating fellow American Hana Moll.
Norwegian athlete Jakob Ingebrigtsen returned to form by winning the 5000m, overcoming prior challenges.