A Historic Season-Ending Showdown
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship successfully concluded at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, wrapping up the 2026 athletics season with a blockbuster showcase. Organized by World Athletics, the exclusive three-day invitational ran from September 11 to 13, bringing together the sport’s undisputed elite.
Designed as the ultimate clash of champions, the event specifically invited reigning Olympic gold medalists, World champions, and Diamond League winners to go head-to-head. With a staggering $10 million prize purse distributed among the champions, the high stakes delivered some of the most fiercely contested races of the year.
Jefferson-Wooden Clocks Joint 7th-Fastest 100m Ever
The undeniable highlight of the championship was the highly anticipated women’s 100m final. American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden put on a masterclass, claiming the ultimate crown with a sizzling, world-leading time of 10.62 seconds.
This phenomenal performance ties her for the seventh-fastest 100m time in history, falling just a fraction shy of her personal best of 10.61 seconds. In a race packed with superstars, Jefferson-Wooden surged ahead of a stacked field, defeating Olympic champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia and reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson.
Women’s 100m Final – 2026 Ultimate Championship
Champions Crowned Across Disciplines
Beyond the women’s 100m, the Ultimate Championship delivered incredible moments across the board. The limited-field format—restricted to just 16 athletes for individual track events and eight for field events—ensured that there were no easy qualifying rounds, only high-caliber finals.
The thrilling weekend also saw titles claimed by notable athletes like Kenny Bednarek, Marileidy Paulino, and Sandi Morris. The successful debut of this biennial tournament proved to be a massive hit, cementing its place as an exciting new fixture on the global athletics calendar.
Sinhala 
English