Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulter and multiple Olympic and world champion, is expected to maintain his strong form at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. Despite a rare defeat at a home Diamond League event in Stockholm and withdrawing from a London competition as a precaution, Duplantis set a world record of 6.31m in March and released the championship’s anthem. Emmanouil Karalis may pose a notable challenge this year, having improved his mark as well.
Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh returned to her native country on her coach’s recommendation amid ongoing conflict. Training in Ukraine and engaging with local children fueled her preparation, leading to her victory at the World Indoor Championships in Toruń. She recorded the season’s best clearance of 2.03m in January in Ukraine, with multiple subsequent clearances over two meters.
Canadian hammer thrower Ethan Katzberg has consistently excelled at the Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre in Budapest, securing the world title in 2023. He retained this title two years later, won Olympic gold, and recently claimed the Commonwealth Games championship. His best throw this season is 83.64m, achieved in Budapest.
Thea LaFond, originally a dancer, transitioned to athletics at age 13 and has since earned victories including the Olympic Games, World Indoors in 2024, and the Commonwealth Games. She set the Dominican national record with a 15.02m triple jump for Olympic gold and improved it to 15.25m in Zagreb this season.
Two-time Olympic long jump champion Miltiadis Tentoglou appears to be peaking at the right time. At the Greek national championships in Volos, he posted three jumps over 8.60m, including a personal best of 8.66m, marking the leading long jump performance in 2024.