Werro dictates pace to capture 800m title in Budapest
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Budapest witnessed a thrilling display of sprinting prowess as Audrey Werro claimed the 800m title, showcasing her dominance at the Ultimate Championship. Werro, Switzerland's queen of the 800m, led the pack from start to finish, finishing in a remarkable 1:55.88, leaving her rivals Keely Hodgkinson, Britain's Olympic champion, and Femke Broeders-Bol, the Dutch former two-time world 400m hurdles champion, trailing behind.
Werro's victory marked the culmination of her relentless pursuit of success, as she expressed her elation in the aftermath of the race.
In the women's 100m race, the world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden from St. Lucia outpaced her opponent, Julien Alfred, winning with an electrifying time of 10.62, just one-hundredth off her previous best set at the World Championships in Tokyo. Reflecting on her moment of triumph, Jefferson-Wooden emphasized her dedication and hard work, stating that she didn't want the victory to overshadow her journey.
Later in the event, Kenny Bednarek of Jamaica secured gold in the 100m race, clocking in at 9.85, holding off Jamaican world champion Oblique Seville. The American sprinter will walk away with a US$150,000 prize for his outstanding performance. Bednarek's achievement was further highlighted by American Ronnie Baker, who contributed a gold medal to the US 4x100m mixed relay team's victory just earlier.
Adding to the excitement of the day, Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, with an impressive six Diamond League wins to his name, set a new national record of 43.39 seconds in the men's 400m race. Kebinatshipi celebrated his triumph with his trademark press-up routine, solidifying his position as the fifth all-time in the one-lap race. American Rai Benjamin, the Olympic and world 400m hurdles champion, who has recently shifted his focus to the 400m flat for 2026, secured the bronze medal with a time of 44.15 seconds.
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