Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic leads the women’s 400m contenders at the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. She currently holds the world lead with a time of 48.48 seconds, having set a Diamond League record in Paris and remained unbeaten throughout the Diamond League campaign. Paulino claimed her fourth Diamond League title last weekend in Brussels with a meeting record of 48.64 seconds. After winning her first individual world title, she now enters the championship following several high-profile victories, including her Olympic gold in Paris and a runner-up finish at last year’s World Championships in Tokyo with a 47.98—the third-fastest ever.
Paulino’s main challengers include American Aaliyah Butler, the only other woman in the field to run under 49 seconds this season, with a personal best of 48.84 seconds set in Monaco. Norwegian Henriette Jæger recently lowered her national record to 49.04 seconds to win the European title and finished second to Paulino at the Diamond League Final.
2019 world champion and Olympic silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser returns with a lifetime best of 48.14 seconds and a season best of 49.27 seconds. Jamaican Nickisha Pryce has matched Naser’s 49.27, while world indoor champion Lurdes Gloria Manuel ran 49.37 seconds in Paris, finishing second to Paulino. Other contenders such as Ella Onojuvwevwo and Stacey Ann Williams have also clocked sub-49.50 times this year.
Overall, 12 of the 16 women entered have broken 50 seconds this season, promising a highly competitive women’s 400m at the championship.