Josh Kerr concluded the outdoor athletics season undefeated by claiming victory in the men’s 1500 meters at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship held in Budapest. The Scottish middle-distance runner won the race in 3 minutes 29.355 seconds, edging out Australian Cameron Myers by 0.335 seconds. The event, featuring a $150,000 first prize, took place on the final day of a competition noted for its blend of innovation and a substantial overall prize fund of $10 million.
Kerr’s winning performance came two months after he set a new world record in the mile, underscoring a remarkable year that also included a world indoor championship gold medal over 3,000 meters and a Commonwealth Games 1500m title. Speaking after the race, Kerr acknowledged that he did not feel at his best during warm-up but emphasized the importance of pacing himself and reserving energy for a strong finish. He described how he strategically advanced on the final lap, moving past Robert Farken before overtaking Nuguse to secure his lead. Kerr also praised Myers as a formidable competitor but noted that observing the gap on the screen gave him confidence to push harder in the final stages.
The race unfolded without Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian and reigning Olympic champion, who withdrew over the weekend. The podium was completed by Myers in second place and the American Cole Hocker, who finished fourth in 3:30.74.
Women’s sprinting also featured prominently on the last night of the championships. American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden excelled in the 200 meters, winning with a time of 21.51 seconds, which ranks as the fourth-fastest ever recorded despite running into a slight headwind. Olympic champion Gabby Thomas finished second, followed by Britain’s Amy Hunt, who ran a season-best 22.10 seconds to place fourth.
The meet also showcased several other standout performances. Brazilian 400m hurdles world champion Alison Dos Santos posted the third-fastest time in history with 45.98 seconds in a tightly contested race against American stars Rai Benjamin and Karsten Warholm. The trio now holds the fastest 38 times ever recorded in this event. Warholm later participated in the mixed 4x400m relay, where the United States claimed victory, Britain finished second, and the Netherlands third. Britain’s Charlotte Henrich secured several positions on the final leg to help her team earn $10,000 each.
In field events, Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Pathirage capped off a breakthrough season with a winning throw of 91.09 meters, attributing his technique to skills developed from cricket. Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi achieved a world-leading mark of 2.37 meters to claim victory, while American Kenny Bednarek posted a world-leading 19.52 seconds to win the men’s 200 meters, beating Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.
Overall, the World Athletics Ultimate Championship combined high-level competition with significant financial incentives, spotlighting emerging talents and established champions across a diverse range of events. Kerr’s triumph in the 1500m rounded out a memorable and competitive championship finale.