Canada’s Marco Arop secured the second position in the men’s 800-meter final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship held in Budapest, Hungary. Despite leading the pack in the final lap, Arop couldn’t maintain the lead, finishing in second place with a time of 1:42.28. Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati clinched the title with a remarkable final kick, crossing the finish line in 1:41.91, while Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya took third place with a time of 1:42.44.
Arop, a three-time world championship medallist and 2024 Olympic silver medallist, expressed his determination in the race, stating, “It’s the last race of the season, the biggest race of the season, so why not leave it all out there.” The 27-year-old athlete had faced disappointment in his previous races, finishing fourth at the Diamond League Final and struggling to maintain pace in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Despite the challenges, Arop showcased his talent by winning races earlier in the season, including a season-best time of 1:41.84 at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League and 1:42.13 at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational. Looking ahead, Arop remains optimistic about his future performances, stating, “There [were] definitely some ups and downs… Looking forward to next [season] and the years to come.”
In other events, Americans Kenny Bednarek and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden emerged as double Ultimate champions, dominating the 100m and 200m races. Bednarek claimed the men’s 200m title with a world-leading time of 19.52, while Jefferson-Wooden secured the women’s 200m title in 21.47. The Ultimate Championship features a $10-million prize pool, with event winners earning $150,000 each.
Josh Kerr continued his successful season by winning the 1,500-meter race at the Ultimate Championship, adding to his impressive titles and achievements throughout the year. Kerr’s victory in Budapest marked a remarkable conclusion to his season, solidifying his status as a top athlete in the sport.
