Audrey Werro showcased her exceptional talent once again by clinching victory in the women’s 800m race at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest. The 22-year-old Swiss athlete secured the top spot with a time of 1:55.88, outpacing Britain’s Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who finished second in 1:56.26. Femke Broeders-Bol rounded out the top three. Werro’s triumph not only earned her the $150,000 first prize but also concluded a remarkable season where she won 14 out of 15 outdoor races, cementing her status as one of the leading 800m runners globally.
Keely Hodgkinson, despite facing challenges this season due to injuries, delivered a commendable performance. The Olympic champion expressed pride in her ability to compete strongly after battling a hamstring injury that hindered her speed training. Her resilience in the face of adversity was evident as she pushed through to claim the runner-up position in a competitive field.
In another highlight from the championships, Georgia Hunter Bell finished second in the women’s 1500m, trailing closely behind Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska. Kazimierska took the top spot with a time of 3:57.55, narrowly beating Hunter Bell by 0.15 seconds. Hunter Bell’s consistent performances throughout the season, which include major championship victories, earned her a $75,000 prize for her second-place finish.
The event also witnessed a standout performance in the women’s 100m, where world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden clocked the fastest time of the year at 10.62 seconds. Olympic champion Julien Alfred secured the second position with a time of 10.74, followed by Sha’Carri Richardson in third at 10.76. Jefferson-Wooden’s impressive run underscored her dominance in the sprinting world this season.