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Slovak hurdler Emma Zapletalová enters the weekend as one of the primary favorites for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, according to recent athletic reports. The reigning European champion in the 400-meter hurdles arrives in the Hungarian capital following a dominant semifinal performance where she clocked 52.93 seconds.
The Stakes and Format of the Ultimate Championship
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship runs from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13, 2026, gathering elite fields across 28 disciplines in Budapest, as reported by local sports outlets. Rather than traditional medal sets, victors in this new global format receive a specialized trophy designed by American sprinter Noah Lyles. According to event organizers, the competition features a prize pool shared among 381 athletes from 65 countries. In Zapletalová’s event, the women’s 400-meter hurdles winner will collect a top prize of 150,000 US dollars, while the runner-up pockets 75,000 and third place takes home 40,000.
Where and When to Watch Zapletalová in Action
Fans across Slovakia and Europe can follow the action through live television broadcasts. According to broadcast schedules, Zapletalová’s final race is slated for Sunday, Sept. 13, at 18:08 local venue time, following her successful semifinal heat on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 18:46. STVR Šport carries the live television coverage of her final appearance of the season.
Rivalry with Anna Cockrell and Season Form
Zapletalová’s season-best mark of 52.30 seconds stands as the second-fastest in the entire starting field, trailing only American competitor Anna Cockrell, who holds a personal best of 51.87 seconds. Cockrell previously edged out the Slovak champion at the Diamond League final in Brussels with a time of 53.01 seconds, where Zapletalová finished second. Despite recent narrow defeats, Zapletalová maintains that she feels strong and emphasizes that her American rival remains beatable, noting previous head-to-head success earlier in the year.
Next Steps
Following the conclusion of the Ultimate Championship finals on Sunday night, Zapletalová will close out her competitive 2026 campaign.
