Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Masai Russell, Olympic champion and Diamond League winner, arrives at the 2026 World Ultimate Championship in Budapest unbeaten this season in the women's 100m hurdles. She set a world record of 12.09 seconds in Zurich on 27 August 2026, surpassing the previous mark held by Tobi Amusan by 0.03 seconds. Russell’s form was further confirmed with her Diamond League Final win in Brussels, setting a meeting record time of 12.20 seconds. She also clocked 12.33 seconds at the Gyulai Memorial in Budapest, making her the clear favorite for the event on 11 September 2026.
Tobi Amusan, the 2022 world champion and former world record-holder, remains Russell’s main challenger. After Russell’s record, Amusan produced a season-best 12.23 seconds, the second-fastest wind-legal time of her career and this year. Bahamian athlete Devynne Charlton is also in strong form, having set a national record of 12.33 seconds and finishing second to Russell at the Diamond League Final after winning Commonwealth gold in Glasgow.
European athletes Nadine Visser and Pia Skrzyszowska are expected to lead the continent’s charge. Visser took the European title in Birmingham and improved her best to 12.34 seconds at Zurich, placing third behind Russell and Amusan. Skrzyszowska finished closely behind Visser in the European Championships. Other contenders include Alaysha Johnson, who ran 12.38 seconds this season, and Megan Simmonds, third at the Diamond League Final with 12.43 seconds.
The women's 100m hurdles semifinals at the World Ultimate Championship are scheduled for the evening of 11 September at 20:04 local time, followed by the final at 21:20. Observers are eager to see if Russell can remain unbeaten and possibly improve on her world record.