Weltklasse Zürich is staying true to its reputation. As many as 13 new Olympic champions, 12 reigning world, and 13 European champions gather at Letzigrund Stadium this Thursday. Fans are looking forward to exciting post-Olympic rematches at the venerable arena.
The top pole vaulters of the world, including Nina Kennedy (AUS, Olympic and world champion), Katie Moon (USA, Olympic and world champion), and European champion and LC Zürich track club member Angelica Moser, are set to compete at Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station on Wednesday already.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen out for revenge
Much was said about what was to be the great duel between Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) and Josh Kerr (GBR) in the Olympic 1500m final. But then, two American middle-distancers, Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse, stepped in and took the two Europeans by surprise. Hocker won, defeating Kerr and Nuguse, while the Norwegian top favourite had to make do with fourth place. In Zurich, Ingebrigtsen would like set things straight. In a very fast time, preferably. He can count on the support of wavelight technology and on Elliott Giles, the new road mile world record holder.
Keeping an eye on the clock might also be worth your while during the women’s 5000m: Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet (KEN, 5000m and 10000m) intends to top off her stellar season with a mic drop.
Switzerland’s European championship stars to face Olympic champion
The star-studded line-up in the women’s 100m includes 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia) and world champion Sha’Carri Richardson (USA), as well as Europe’s two sprint queens Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) and Mujinga Kambundji.
While Richards will be focused on making up for the defeat in Paris, Kambundji hopes to get a similarly good start as in the Olympic final, where she placed sixth. Fans at Letzigrund Stadium will no doubt support the athlete from Bern as always. The crowd favourite just recently confirmed that she would continue her athletics career until 2028.
Like Mujinga Kumbundji, Timothé Mumenthaler is the reigning 200m European champion. But while she was successfully defending her 2022 title, the virtually unknown Mumenthaler provided athletics fans with one of the great surprises, when he sprinted to European fame. His triumph earned him a spot in the Weltklasse Zürich race, where he will be facing the likes of Letsile Tebogo, the very first Olympic champion and national hero of Botswana.
An Olympic final for Ditaji Kambundji
Due to a muscle injury, Ditaji Kambundji had not been able to be in top form in time for the Olympic Games. She did not make it through to the 100m h final. Now, the 22-year-old is getting “her” Olympic final at Letzigrund Stadium. She will be lining up alongside Olympic champion Masai Russell (USA), Russell’s predecessor Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR), and world champion and 2023 Weltklasse Zürich winner Danielle Williams. European champion Cyréna Samba-Mayela (FRA) and former world record holder Kendra Harrison (USA) complete the illustrious cast for race.
A collector of all titles vs. a master of many trades
A Swiss allrounder intends to challenge the long jump specialists once again. Originally a decathlete, Simon Ehammer has made a name for himself on the big athletics stage by collecting world and European championship medals. At Weltklasse Zürich, he will try to make the competition of Miltiadis Tentoglou as hard as possible. The Greek is known for his impressive collection of titles (he is a two-time Olympic and world champion, and a three-time European champion, and his final attempts are widely feared.
More «Swiss Starters» than ever before
The Kambundji sisters and Ehammer are just three of many Swiss Weltklasse Zürich competitors. More than ever before, in fact: Twelve local heroes will appear on the big screen’s start lists in individual events. And in addition, seven Swiss sprinters will join Mujinga Kambundji in the traditional 4x100m race.
