It was a tough opening day for South Africa at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, as all three initial green-and-gold competitors bowed out in the semifinals.
Staged at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, the elite global event features a six-strong South African contingent.
On Friday evening, Zakithi Nene finished seventh in his 400m semi (45.30s), Marione Fourie took sixth in her 100m hurdles semi (12.59s), and Prudence Sekgodiso managed sixth in the 800m semis (1:59.66)—leaving all three short of the finals.
Tonight sprint stars Akani Simbine and Gift Leotlela line up in the men’s 100m semifinals, with the final slated for 20:49 South African time. Sinesipho Dambile completes the team in Sunday’s 200m.
While South Africa faltered early, international heavyweights cashed in on the event’s $10 million prize chest.
Scandinavian superstars Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis and Jakob Ingebrigtsen pocketed $150,000 each.
Duplantis cleared 6.20m to dominate the pole vault, while Ingebrigtsen produced a stunning comeback from injury to win the 5,000m in 12:59.24.
American world-record holders Masai Russell (100m hurdles, 12.22s) and Ja’Kobe Tharp (110m hurdles, 12.94s) secured victories, alongside Team USA’s mixed 4x100m relay squad (39.64s).
Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh claimed the high jump (1.99m), while Canada’s Olympic hammer champion Ethan Katzberg suffered a shock early elimination.
