Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Oblique Seville of Jamaica headlines the men’s 100m at the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship, entering as the fastest competitor this season with a time of 9.82 seconds in Kingston. The reigning world and Diamond League champion aims to add the Ultimate Championship title to his accomplishments. Seville has posted multiple sub-9.90 performances, including Diamond League wins in Silesia and London, and secured the series title in Brussels against Emmanuel Eseme and Kayinsola Ajayi among others.
Nigerian sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi will renew his rivalry with Seville, having tied or broken the Nigerian record three times this year, with a best of 9.84 seconds. Ajayi won at the Prefontaine Classic and the London Diamond League, finishing ahead of Seville. His season includes an NCAA title and third at the Commonwealth Games, won by Esseme. Ajayi's presence adds depth to the Budapest field.
Noah Lyles, the world leader with a season-best 9.79 seconds, will not compete in the 100m due to injury but is still involved in the championship in another capacity. His absence creates opportunities for other sprinters to contend for the title. Emmanuel Eseme, Lachlan Kennedy, and Ronal Longa, who set a South American record of 9.85 seconds, are among the main contenders.
Kenny Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medalist, and Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo will both contest the 100m and 200m. Tebogo returns to the track where he earned world medals in both events in 2023. Their participation in both sprints underscores the championship's depth.