The World Athletics Ultimate Championship kicked off with an energetic opening night that captivated a sold-out crowd of over 20,000 fans. A dazzling display of lights and music set the tone for what promises to be a high-stakes athletic event. The inaugural three-day championship is being held at the Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre in Budapest from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13. World Athletics said 381 athletes from 65 federations were entered across 28 disciplines.
Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen claimed victory in the men’s 5,000 meters race, according to Devdiscourse. He described his performance as a return to form after recent challenges in the sport, according to a report from Reuters. Ingebrigtsen noted that he had improved over the past weeks and was pleased with his time under 13 minutes. Ingebrigtsen finished in a season-best 12:59.24, ahead of Cole Hocker at 13:00.05 and Parker Wolfe at 13:00.13. The victory earned him the $150,000 first prize.
The event also featured a star-studded lineup of athletes arriving at a red carpet ceremony, the BBC reported. Among those present was Mondo Duplantis, known for his pole vault achievements. Duplantis narrowly missed setting a new world record but still secured a championship title. He expressed satisfaction with his performance and said he was happy to be part of such a prestigious event. Duplantis cleared 6.20 meters for the win before making three unsuccessful attempts at 6.32 meters, one centimeter above his existing world record.
The championship is designed to offer a fresh format that differs from traditional meets. This new approach aims to attract more fans and create excitement around the competition. Most track events use fields of up to 16 athletes while field events feature eight competitors. The 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter races are straight finals rather than multi-round competitions.
Athletes from around the world gathered for an event that included unique elements like a bright pink sandpit and a black infield. A new trophy and historic prize money were also part of the celebration. World Athletics says the $10 million prize pot is the largest ever offered at a single track and field event. Individual champions receive $150,000 and every participating athlete is eligible for prize money.
The championship brought together top-tier competitors including American Olympic 1500m champion Cole Hocker. The opening night was a spectacle of athletic prowess and captivating performance. Hocker finished second behind Ingebrigtsen in the 5,000 meters and is also entered in the 1,500 meters.
IMAGE: 2018 European Athletics Championships Day 7. Photo: Erik van Leeuwen, attribution: Erik van Leeuwen (bron: Wikipedia). / Wikimedia, taken 2018-08-12, GFDL