Budapest hosts a dramatic World Athletics Championship finish
Budapest is gradually returning to its normal pace after a blistering heat wave that peaked at 37 degrees, transforming what many consider one of the most spectacular outdoor World Athletics Championships in history into a searing test of endurance and skill.
Relating to
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Katir, from defeat to redemption on the track
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Spain climbs the medals table, leaving fans to wonder if the ascent is real
The World Cups in Budapest were a triumph
The next major stop is Tokyo, September 13-21, 2025, with plans to mitigate heat and humidity. Before that, attention shifts to Glasgow Indoor World Cup in 2024, the open-air European Championship in Rome, the Paris Games, and in 2025 the Apeldoorn indoor European Championship in the Netherlands.
Heroes
Budapest will be remembered for a remarkable trio of American champions Noah Lyles, who dominated the 100, 200, and the 4×100 relay; Sha’Carri Richardson, who claimed gold in the 100 and the 4×100 with a bronze in the 200; and Jamaican Shericka Jackson, who collected gold in the 200, silver in the 4×100, and bronze in the 100. Kenyan Faith Kipyegon added two titles in the 1500 and 5000 meters, Dutch athlete Femke Bol excelled in the 4×400 and the 400-meter hurdles, and Spanish leaders Álvaro Martín and María Pérez starred in the 20 km and 35 km walks respectively.
Among other standout performances were Norwegian prodigy Jakob Ingebrigtsen with gold in the 5000 meters and silver in the 1500, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands securing silver in the 5000 and bronze in the 1500, and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo earning silver in the 100 and bronze in the 200. The Americans enjoyed gold in the 4×400 thanks to Quincy Hall and gold in the 4×100 with Gabby Thomas taking bronze in the 200. Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce added silver in the 4×100 and bronze in the 100.
Other memorable moments included Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas advancing from eighth to gold on the final jump (15.08m), Sweden’s Armand Duplantis breaking the world pole vault record, and Ryan Crouser delivering a landmark 23.51m in the shot put. Canada also shone with a surprising double in the hammer throw courtesy of Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg.
RFEF was satisfied
In addition to four golds, Mohamed Katir earned a strong silver at 5000 meters, and Spain finished with ten finalists, including Adri Ben in the 800 and Mario García Romo in the 1500, highlighting a historically strong performance in medals and placements.
The federation president, Raúl Chapado, offered a positive assessment: medals may not lead, but the level of competition pushed Spanish athletes to near the top. He emphasized that the event demonstrated the depth of talent across nations and underlined the need for continued preparation for 2024 and beyond. He also praised the athletes for their competitive spirit, noting that teams from traditionally dominant nations faced tough challenges on the track.
Raúl Chapado also stressed the federation’s commitment to the march toward greater consistency and acknowledged the feats of María Pérez and Álvaro Martín, who advanced and dominated on the day. He voiced confidence that the federation has strong potential heading into 2024 and beyond.
The tripartite roster defended the sport amid ongoing discussions about governance and competition formats, emphasizing their dedication to the sport and to the athletes who achieved in Budapest. Chapado highlighted the medal successes and the overall strength of the team’s performance, framing it as a testament to dedicated training and strategic preparation.
Head coach Pepe Peiró noted that the World Cup ran very well for Spain, with the team placing third in medal standings and seventh in points rankings. He attributed the success to a high level of competitiveness and the collective effort that defined the squad throughout the championships.
Katir heads to Zurich this Thursday
Immediately after earning silver in the 5000 meters, it became clear that Mohamed Katir would wrap up his season at the Weltklasse meet in Zurich, a sold-out event featuring 25,000 spectators at Letzigrund. The upcoming Diamond League finale promises a strong field and a fitting conclusion to a remarkable circuit.
Meanwhile, Armand Duplantis continues to headline the pole vault, joined by top sprinters and distance runners who will test form ahead of the next major meets. The field includes elite racers and hurdlers who have faced Katir across the season, heightening the anticipation for the upcoming rounds.