Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The women’s 100m event at the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest features a highly competitive field of elite sprinters. Among the main contenders are world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) and Olympic champion Julien Alfred (LCA), each holding the world-leading time of 10.70 seconds this season. Jefferson-Wooden set a championship record of 10.61 seconds in Tokyo last year and has maintained her No. 1 world ranking in 2026 with victories in Stockholm, Eugene, and Silesia. Alfred avenged a recent defeat by overcoming Jefferson-Wooden in Zurich with a Saint Lucian record of 10.70 seconds, matching the world lead.
Tina Clayton of Jamaica, silver medalist behind Jefferson-Wooden in Tokyo, is another strong challenger. She recently won the Diamond League title in Brussels with a time of 10.93 seconds and has a season’s best of 10.85 seconds.
Sha'Carri Richardson (USA) returns to Budapest after winning the world title in 2023 with a time of 10.65 seconds. This season, she has posted a best of 10.77 seconds and won the US championship.
European champion Amy Hunt (GBR) has had a breakthrough year, winning four golds at the European Championships, including the 100m title, and finishing second to Clayton at the Diamond League Final.
The field is further strengthened by sprinters like Canada’s Sade McCreath, who improved her national record to 10.86 seconds. Jonielle Smith, Lavanya Williams, Cambrea Sturgis, Zoe Hobbs, and Brianna Lyston have also each run under 10.95 seconds this season, demonstrating strong depth in the 2026 lineup.