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On Tuesday, August 12, in Budapest’s National Athletic Center, the legend continued – global superstars, a world record, and unforgettable moments! The Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix once again proved why it is considered one of the premier and most prestigious athletics meetings in the world. Spectacular competitions, sensational performances, a world record from Armand Duplantis, a brilliant victory by Bence Halász, an astonishing national record from Attila Molnár, a vibrant atmosphere, and many more successes made the evening truly unforgettable. The day became a true celebration of sport, with the world’s greatest athletes and Hungarian stars taking centre stage. Every event brought new excitement, and the crowd responded with gratitude – and at times pure euphoria – as they celebrated their heroes. One thing is clear: this year’s Gyulai István Memorial was historic.

Before the start of the international programme, children, youth athletes, and enthusiastic amateur runners took to the track. At that moment, they were the stars, and the crowd cheered for them with the same passion later reserved for the elite. It was a joy to see the excitement in their eyes, the smiles, and perhaps even the first steps of future champions. The atmosphere was perfectly set, and everything was in place for the main event to begin, as international stars and Hungarian favourites entered the field.

The evening’s first major success for Hungary came in the men’s hammer throw. Olympic silver medallist, two-time World Championship bronze medallist, and two-time European silver medallist Bence Halász delivered a massive personal best of 83.18m to claim a commanding victory. His throw was not only a new meeting record but also the best mark in the world this year. Behind him finished his main rival, reigning Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg of Canada, with 81.88m, followed by Paris Olympic bronze medallist Mykhaylo Kokhan of Ukraine, who threw 80.84m.

The women’s long jump saw a narrow victory for world indoor champion Claire Bryant of the USA with a winning mark of 6.71m. The top three were separated by just 7 cm – Ackelia Smith of Jamaica placed second with 6.67m, and Quanesha Burks (USA) finished third with 6.64m. Petra Bánhidi-Farkas was the top Hungarian finisher, placing seventh with 6.34m.

In the men’s pole vault, expectations were high – and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis delivered. The Swedish superstar, already a legend in the sport, soared to a world record of 6.29m, once again bettering his own mark in a truly magical moment. This was the first world record ever set in the 15-year history of the Gyulai István Memorial. Emmanouil Karalis of Greece, the European indoor champion, took second with 6.02m, while Kurtis Marschall of Australia finished third with 5.82m. Hungarian vaulter Márton Böndör impressed in his debut, clearing 5.62m to finish seventh.

In the women’s pole vault, Slovenia’s Tina Sutej, the world indoor silver medallist, cleared 4.73m to claim victory with a new meeting record. Olivia McTaggart (New Zealand) and Amálie Švábíková (Czech Republic) took second and third place with 4.67m.

One of the surprises of the evening came in the rarely contested men’s 60m, where Hungary’s Dominik Illovszky clocked 6.63 seconds, setting a new meeting record and claiming victory ahead of Dominic Williams (Jamaica, 6.66 PB) and Tsebo Matsoso (South Africa, 6.67).

Japan’s Naoto Hasegawa equalled his personal best of 2.27m to take first place in the men’s high jump. Olympic silver medallist Shelby McEwen (USA) and Dmytro Nikitin (Ukraine), U20 European silver medallist, both cleared 2.24m to share the next podium spots.

No doubt surrounded the women’s 400m hurdles: Europe’s top female athlete, Dutch superstar Femke Bol, delivered a commanding victory with a time of 52.24, leaving no chance for her rivals. Naomi Van Den Broeck (Belgium, 54.50) and Jasmine Jones (USA, 54.61) completed the podium. Hungary’s Sára Mátó finished seventh in 55.53.

Kenya’s Laban Kipkorir Chepkwony stormed to victory in the men’s 800m, setting a meeting and personal best with 1:42.96. Mark English of Ireland finished second in a new national record of 1:43.37, and France’s Yanis Meziane was third with a personal best of 1:43.71.

Australia’s Georgia Griffith, a former Universiade silver medallist, won the women’s 1500m in a new personal and meeting record time of 3:58.25. Marta Pérez of Spain (3:59.22) and Heather MacLean of the USA (3:59.35) rounded out the podium.

Germany’s Simon Batz claimed a surprise victory in the men’s long jump with 8.07m, edging out Greek star Miltiadis Tentoglou and Uzbekistan’s Anvar Anvarov, both of whom jumped 8.05m.

In the men’s shot put, the crowd celebrated a “half-home” victory as Joe Kovacs, world champion and Olympic silver medallist, whose grandfather is Hungarian, won with 22.33m. Fellow world champion Tom Walsh (New Zealand) threw 21.52m for second, while Cornnell Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Nigeria) was third with 21.15m.

The women’s 200m came down to a photo finish, with Jamaica’s Ashanti Moore winning in a personal best of 22.31, just ahead of Favour Ofili (Nigeria, 22.31) and Daryll Neita (Great Britain, 22.37). Hungary’s Alexa Sulyán placed eighth with 23.54.

In the men’s 200m, Bryan Levell (Jamaica) set a meeting and personal best of 19.69, defeating 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa, 20.07) and his compatriot Benjamin Richardson (20.30).

Holland’s Nadine Visser, a two-time European indoor champion, won the women’s 100m hurdles with a season-best 12.43. Alia Armstrong (USA, 12.59) and Christina Clemons (USA, 12.74) followed. Hungarians Anna Tóth (12.94) and Luca Kozák (13.00) placed sixth and eighth, respectively.

World leader Cordell Tinch (USA) confirmed his status, winning the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.20. Olympic champion Hansle Parchment (Jamaica, 13.24) and Eric Edwards (USA, 13.26) completed the top three.

Kenya’s Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang won the men’s 3000m in a personal best of 7:33.23, ahead of Eduardo Herrera (Mexico), who set a new national record with 7:33.58, and Oscar Chelimo (Uganda), who clocked 7:33.93 – the best performance of his career at this distance.

In the women’s 400m, Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands, the reigning European indoor champion, delivered a dominant performance, winning in a season’s best 50.11. Mercy Adongo Oketch (Kenya) finished second in 50.69, followed by Bailey Lear (USA) in 50.94.

Another magical moment for the home crowd came in the men’s 400m, where Attila Molnár ran a Hungarian national record of 44.74 seconds, placing an impressive fourth. The event was won by African champion Muzala Samukonga (Zambia) in 44.11, ahead of Jereem Richards (Trinidad and Tobago, 44.14) and Khaleb McRae (USA, 44.16), who was making his first appearance at an international meet in Europe.

The final two events of the evening were the women’s and men’s 100m finals, showcasing the fastest sprinters on the planet.

In the women’s 100m, three-time world silver medallist Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (Ivory Coast) took the win in 10.97 seconds, edging out three top Jamaican sprinters: Tina Clayton (10.99), Shericka Jackson (11.00), and sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (11.07). Hungary’s Boglárka Takács finished sixth with 11.26.

In the men’s 100m, the title went to the world’s fastest man, Kishane Thompson (Jamaica), who clocked 9.95 seconds. The remaining podium positions were decided by a photo finish between Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (Ghana) and meeting record holder Akani Simbine (South Africa), both finishing in 10.01.

The prestigious Dr. Bojidar Spiriev Trophy for the best performance of the meet was awarded to Armand Duplantis, in recognition of his historic world record. The accolades for Best Hungarian Athletes of the meet were shared by Bence Halász and Anna Tóth.