News

Stars, stars, and more stars! In recent weeks and months, the organizers of the Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix have continuously updated the public on the anticipated participants, announcing athlete after athlete of international stature, with a particular emphasis on the best Hungarian competitors.

In the event schedule, the women’s 100 m and then the men’s 100 m take place as the final events, preceding the awards ceremony for all winners and the presentation of the Dr. Bojidar Spiriev Trophy for the best overall performance.

In the star-studded and highly anticipated women’s 100 m field, a “new” star has emerged: Shericka Jackson – who had not been previously announced – is now confirmed!

For us, the most important athlete is certainly Boglárka Takács, who has now joined the elite of European sprinters and is closing in on the “dream barrier” of 11 seconds for women. In her most recent national record-breaking performance, she won in Madrid at the European Team Championships with a time of 11.06 seconds. She faces tough competition, as all her rivals have previously run under 11 seconds – or even better!

• Shelly-Ann FraserPryce (Jamaica) – A supreme legend of the discipline and the meet record-holder (10.67 s). Her list of titles is akin to a novel: three-time Olympic champion and ten-time world champion, with a remarkable total of 25 medals from Olympics and World Championships. Her personal best is 10.60 s.
• Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) – Olympic champion and four-time world champion. A three-time winner of this event, though always in the 200 m, where she holds the meet record. She won the 200 m and took silver in the 100 m at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest. Her best time is 10.65 s.
• MarieJosée Ta LouSmith (Ivory Coast) – Three-time world silver medallist, multiple third-fourth-place finisher at Olympics and Worlds; also placed fourth at the Budapest Worlds. Her PB is 10.72 s.
• Tina Clayton (Jamaica) – The new rising star. After dominating at age-group levels (four-time U20 world champion), she has stepped into the senior world elite. She won this year’s Jamaican championships ahead of Jackson and FraserPryce, with a PB of 10.81 s – the world’s third-fastest time this year.
• Jacious Sears (USA) – Has already made a name for herself in Diamond League meets this year: winning in Eugene (Prefontaine Classic), finishing second in Monaco, and third in Rabat. Her personal best is 10.77 s.
• Tamari Davis (USA) – Became world champion as a member of the relay; she also ran in the individual final in Budapest at the 2023 Worlds; the defending champion of the Gyulai István Memorial. Her best is 10.83 s.
• Cambrea Sturgis (USA) – Two-time NCAA champion. Official PB is 10.87 s, but clocked 10.74 s with a slightly above-legal tailwind (+2.2 m/s).
• Maia McCoy (USA) – This summer switched from representing Liberia to the USA; she was a silver medallist at the African Championships last year. Recently ran her personal best of 10.96 s.

The finale of the event will be the men’s 100 m – with an extraordinary lineup.

Breaking news: Hungary welcomes the current fastest man in the world, Jamaican Kishane Thompson, who will compete in the 100 m!

This exceptional sprinter leads the World Athletics world rankings and tops the season’s performance lists. Indeed, nobody worldwide has run faster than his 9.75 seconds in the past decade!

Although Thompson is the main attraction, the depth of the field is impressive – every international entrant has broken the magical 10-second barrier. They will be tested by the Hungarian champion, Dominik Illovszky – who placed 13th at the World Indoor Championships and holds a personal best of 10.25 s.

Other men’s 100 m international entrants include:

• Akani Simbine (South Africa) – PB of 9.82 s; ranked second in global standings; meet record-holder at 9.84 s; already three Diamond League wins this year.
• Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya) – A powerful and unique personality of the event; African record-holder with a PB of 9.77 s.
• AbdulRasheed Saminu (Ghana) – Currently one of the in-form sprinters; twice this year has broken the Ghanaian record, now at 9.84 s.
• Ronnie Baker (USA) – Olympic fifth-placer, indoor Worlds bronze medallist, twice US indoor champion; PB is 9.83 s.
• Ackeem Blake (Jamaica) – Indoor Worlds bronze medallist, second at last year’s Gyulai Memorial; PB is 9.88 s.
• Rohan Watson (Jamaica) – Fifth at this year’s indoor Worlds, relay bronze medallist at the Budapest Worlds; best time is 9.91 s.
• Kayinsola Ajayi (Nigeria) – Broke into the world elite this year; won his last three international races. His best is 9.92 s.

This prestigious event, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, takes place on 12 August at 15:45 at the National Athletic Center in Budapest.

Official website: gyulaimemorial.hu