The world's elite in running and field events have gathered in Hungary for the debut 2026 World Athletics Championships. Over three intense days in Budapest, an innovative competition with high stakes will take place, where world-class talent will meet in the semi-finals and finals.
Six outstanding athletes from South Africa represent their country in individual disciplines, aiming to make a strong impression at the end of the season on the world stage.
World Athletics Championships
Among the medal favorites at the upcoming tournament in Budapest is Sinesifo Dambile, the Commonwealth Games champion in the 200 meters.
Zakiti Nene (400m)
Earlier this year, Nene achieved high results, setting a best seasonal time of 43.89 seconds and taking second place at the Diamond League meeting in Paris. A brilliant tactical victory in the 400 meters at the Diamond League in Stockholm also helped him climb one spot in the rankings. However, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he did not meet expectations before the start, qualifying for the final where he won bronze.
His inconsistency continued in the Diamond League final, where he finished an unsatisfactory seventh after being one of the main contenders again. Although a star cannot explain dips in form, Nene has repeatedly shown the ability to recover when least expected, and he cannot be ruled out of the podium fight.
Key Rivals:
Leading the strong field in long sprints in Budapest are Botswana's world champion Colleen Kebinatshipi, as well as Americans Ryan Benjamin and Jacory Patterson, and Caribbean representative Jerem Richards.
Chances on the Podium:
There is a chance, but he will need to restore smooth mid-season execution to contend for a top-three spot.
Schedule (SA time):
Semi-finals: Friday (19:19). Final: Saturday (18:18).
Marione Fury (100m Hurdles)
Fury has established herself as a model of consistency in the hurdles, setting a best seasonal time of 12.80 at the beginning of the year and frequently finishing close to the top elite fields. Her rhythm and hurdle clearance remained clean at the European tournament, ensuring a noticeable presence for South Africa in sprint hurdles.
Nevertheless, she lacks the raw speed of top global competitors, so she cannot afford any minor slip-ups. Facing a relentless two-round format on opening night, Fury must run two flawless races in a row to qualify for the final part of the competition.
Key Rivals:
Masai Russell (USA), who recently set a world record, leads a very strong field alongside former record holder Toby Amusan (Nigeria), Commonwealth champion Devin Charlton (Bahamas), and European champion Nadine Visser (Netherlands).
Chances on the Podium:
Underdog. Her technical precision gives her a chance to win if the favorites stumble, although reaching the top three will likely require a career-best performance.
Schedule (SA time):
Semi-finals: Friday (21:04). Final: Friday (21:20).
Prudence Sekgodiso (800m)
Sekgodiso hopes to finish the season on a high note with a strong performance in the 800 meters in Budapest. She set an impressive personal record of 1:56.83 at the beginning of the season, proving she can compete with the world's best when in form. However, her campaign sharply declined in the second half of the year.
She pushed hard at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, failing to reach the final after placing seventh in the semi-final (2:01.57), and then achieved a disappointing eighth place in the Diamond League final. In recent weeks, she looked tactically off, making a comeback in Budapest a difficult task.
Key Rivals:
The historical lineup is led by world leader Audrey Verro (Switzerland), Olympic champion Kylie Hutchinson (Great Britain), and hurdling specialist Femke Borders-Bol (Netherlands).
Chances on the Podium:
Low. Given recent form issues, simply making the semi-finals and securing a spot in the final would be a major achievement.
Schedule (SA time):
Semi-finals: Friday (20:57). Final: Saturday (20:18).
Gift Letlola (Men's 100m)
Letlola reminded the world of his lethal acceleration, shocking the elite field with a 100m Diamond League victory in Shanghai with a time of 9.97 seconds. However, maintaining that top speed throughout a demanding season has been his weak point. He slowed to fifth place in the 100m final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and struggled with late-season impact in Europe. While his speed in the first 60 meters remains among the best, maintaining mechanics at high speed over two fast rounds on Saturday will determine his fate.
Key Rivals:
The short sprint field includes Jamaican star Oblique Seville, African contender Emmanuel Eseme, versatile Kenneth Bednarek, and a deep contingent of Americans with times under 9.90, including Christian Coleman.
Chances on the Podium:
Long shot. Absolute perfection in race execution across both rounds is required to challenge the field for a top-three spot.
Schedule (SA time):
Semi-finals: Saturday (19:21). Final: Saturday (20:49).
Akani Simbine (Men's 100m)
This veteran continued his remarkable streak, achieving 12 consecutive years where his 100m time was under 10 seconds, posting 9.98 this year. Despite this landmark result, Simbine experienced an unexpectedly quiet end to the season. He withdrew from the individual 100m event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to focus on relays, finishing later in the Diamond League final. Although he lacks the explosive top-end speed of younger rivals at the end of the season, his unparalleled experience on large tracks makes him an unpredictable contender.
Key Rivals:
Oblique Seville (Jamaica), Kayinsol Ajaayi (Nigeria), 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo (Botswana), and former Olympic champion Lamont Marcello Jacobs (Italy).
Chances on the Podium:
Dark horse. Although raw speed currently favors others, his ability to perform in major competitions makes him a live contender for a top-three spot.
Schedule (SA time):
Semi-finals: Saturday (19:21). Final: Saturday (20:49).
Sinesifo Dambile (200m)
Dambile enters Budapest as the brightest and best-prepared athlete from South Africa across all disciplines. After winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a time of 19.96 seconds and setting an impressive personal record of 19.74, winning the Diamond League in Doha, he entered the Diamond League final as one of the world's top 200m sprinters. He lived up to these expectations in Brussels, finishing a brilliant second with a time of 19.89 seconds, overtaking the Olympic champion. Dambile is at his peak at the most opportune moment.
Key Rivals:
Diamond League winner Kenneth Bednarek (USA), Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo (Botswana), Ryan Leveille from Jamaica, and former Olympic champion Andre de Graaf (Canada).
Chances on the Podium:
High. Thanks to elite curve running and immense closing speed, Dambile is South Africa's main candidate for a top-three finish.
Schedule (SA time):
Semi-finals: Sunday (18:18). Final: Sunday (20:38).