Ingebrigtsen caps comeback with Ultimate 5,000m victory, Duplantis wins pole vault title

The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship opened with a challenging first day for South Africa, as all three initial competitors were eliminated in the semifinals. Held at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, the global event showcased a six-member South African team. On Friday evening, Zakithi Nene concluded seventh in his 400m semi (45.30s), Marione Fourie secured sixth in the 100m hurdles semi (12.59s), and Prudence Sekgodiso also finished sixth in the 800m semis (1:59.66)—all falling short of the finals.

Tonight, sprint stars Akani Simbine and Gift Leotlela will contest the men's 100m semifinals, with the final scheduled for 20:49 South African time. Sinesipho Dambile will represent the team in the 200m race on Sunday. While South Africa experienced an early setback, international stars reaped the benefits of the event's $10 million prize pool.

Scandinavian champions Armand Mondo Duplantis and Jakob Ingebrigtsen earned $150,000 each, with Duplantis setting a new pole vault record by clearing 6.20m. Ingebrigtsen overcame injury to triumph in the 5,000m, finishing in 12:59.24. American world-record holders Masai Russell and Ja Kobe Tharp claimed victories in the 100m hurdles, while Team USA's mixed 4x100m relay squad delivered a time of 39.64s.

Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh won the high jump at 1.99m, while Canada's hammer champion Ethan Katzberg faced an early elimination.