Audrey Werro delivered a commanding performance in the women’s 800m at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest, securing a $150,000 prize by outpacing Britain’s Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson. The 22-year-old Swiss athlete clocked in at 1:55.88, with Hodgkinson finishing in 1:56.26 and Femke Broeders-Bol taking third place. Werro took an early lead and maintained her dominance, accelerating in the final 300 meters to clinch the victory.
This triumph marks the peak of an impressive season for Werro, who has claimed victory in 14 out of her 15 outdoor races, establishing herself as a top contender in the 800m category. Meanwhile, Hodgkinson, who has faced a challenging season due to injuries, expressed pride in her performance. She recently returned from a hamstring injury, which limited her speed training, impacting her ability to challenge Werro effectively.
Elsewhere in the championships, Georgia Hunter Bell finished as the runner-up in the women’s 1500m, just narrowly behind Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska. Kazimierska achieved a winning time of 3:57.55, with Hunter Bell finishing 0.15 seconds later. Despite finishing second, Hunter Bell’s strong season, which includes major championship victories, earned her a $75,000 prize.
The women’s 100m event also saw a standout performance, as world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden clocked the fastest time globally this year, winning in 10.62 seconds. Olympic champion Julien Alfred followed closely in second with a time of 10.74 seconds, while Sha’Carri Richardson secured third place, finishing in 10.76 seconds.