Once again, the name – Weltklasse Zürich – says it all. Twelve reigning Olympic champions of individual events, and another twelve new world champions will gather in Zurich for a post-world championship showdown. In a prelude to the event at Letzigrund Stadium, Katie Moon (USA, Olympic and world champion), Nina Kennedy (AUS, world champion), and other top stars of the women’s pole vault competed at Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station on Wednesday night. The meeting on Thursday will be all about settling scores or confirming triumphs. So, the level of the competitions at the legendary Letzigrund Stadium will match the finals in Budapest.
The men’s 400m hurdles might turn out to be particularly nerve-wrecking. The line-up includes both current world record holder, and Olympic and world champion Karsten Warholm (NOR) and his challenger Kyron McMaster, who is in excellent shape. The British Virgin Islander was able to prevail at Weltklasse Zürich twice (in 2017 and 2018), and he won his first world championship medal, when taking silver in Budapest last week. Also hunting the Zurich Trophy will be former world champion and 2023 Weltklasse Zürich winner Alison dos Santos (BRA)
Another closely contested race will be the 100m hurdles. New world champion Danielle Williams (JAM) faces Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR), former world record holder Kendra Harrison (USA), and European champion Pia Skrzyszowska (POL). And after breaking the national record in 12.47 this summer, Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji is another serious opponent in the star-studded field.
All five technical events – the men’s high jump, pole vault, long jump, and javelin throw and the women’s triple jump – feature all world championship medallists. The pole vault competition might be one of the particular highlights again: It includes as many as six athletes who have cleared 6m before, one of them being world record holder Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (SWE), of course. The line-ups for the 1500m and 5000m races boast almost all current top performers.
Schweizer Publikumslieblinge Swiss crowd favourites
A number of local heroes intend to shine on the “magic track”. In addition to Ditaji Kambundji, her sister Mujinga Kambundji[BB1] and Simon Ehammer are always greeted with thunderous applause at Letzigrund Stadium. Mujinga Kambundji would like to end a season that has been marred by injuries on a positive note. She faces a line-up of very strong opponents in the 100m, including world champion Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) and Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM). 200m world champion Shericka Jackson, however, will focus on the 200m.
Long-jumping decathlete Simon Ehammer plans to challenge Olympic, world, and European champion Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE). The Appenzell native’s world championship final competition did not go to plan. He, too, is therefore determined to show a great performance.
As many as eight additional Swiss athletes participate in the international programme of events. William Reais will line up up with new triple sprint world champion Noah Lyles (USA) in the 200m, for instance. Further local stars include Lore Hoffmann and Audrey Werro in the 800m, Tom Elmer (1500m), Jonas Raess (5000m), Julien Bonvin (400m h), as well as Loïc Gasch (high jump). And the popular 4x100m relay race that will conclude the athletics action at Letzigrund Stadium features two national teams.
