In a thrilling display of athleticism, Audrey Werro clinched victory in the women’s 800m at the Ultimate Championships held in Budapest, taking home the $150,000 first prize. The 22-year-old Swiss standout clocked an impressive 1:55.88, outpacing Britain’s Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who finished with a time of 1:56.26. Femke Broeders-Bol secured third place behind them. Werro’s decisive performance from the start allowed her to maintain a commanding lead, ultimately accelerating in the final 300 meters to cap off a stellar season, having won 14 out of 15 outdoor races.
Hodgkinson, despite facing a challenging season marred by injuries, expressed pride in her runner-up finish. Her return from a hamstring injury, which hampered her speed training, was a testament to her resilience as she competed against the formidable Werro.
In other events, Georgia Hunter Bell delivered a strong performance in the women’s 1500m, finishing second to Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska. Kazimierska crossed the line at 3:57.55, just 0.15 seconds ahead of Hunter Bell, who earned $75,000 for her efforts. This achievement follows a season highlighted by Hunter Bell’s major championship victories.
The women’s 100m race also featured an impressive showing, with world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden posting the fastest time of the year at 10.62 seconds. Olympic champion Julien Alfred was close behind, finishing second in 10.74 seconds, while Sha’Carri Richardson claimed third place with a time of 10.76.