Men’s 100m
Will American Fred Kerley defend his 2022 World Championship title in Budapest or will there be the crowning of a new champion? To date, Kerley has posted the third fastest time of 9.88 seconds for the season. However, Zharnell Hughes of Great Britain and Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya have posted faster times of 9.83 and 9.84, respectively. The American has a personal best of 9.76; he won the 100m at the 2022 World Championship in 9.86, slower than the 9.79 that he posted in the semifinals. Will the World Champion repeat or will he be dethroned? Just how will Kerley fare against these and other quality sprinters like Marcell Jacobs, Cravont Charleston, Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles, Rohan Watson, Oblique Seville and Akani Simbine? It is the opinion of the writer that there will be a crowning of a new Champion.
Women’s 100m
The defending 100m Champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, has not been active on the circuit this year. And, in her only two races of the season, she has posted 10.82 and 10.83, respectively, which are pedestrian times, relative to her consistent 10.6s last year. The question is: in this new era of sprinting, can Fraser-Pryce successfully defend her title considering the meteoric rise of Shericka Jackson and the much improved and consistent Marie Josse Talou, Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred? All things considered, will Fraser-Pryce defy logic and claim her sixth 100m title or will there be a crowning of a new Champion? Unlike last year, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is neither the World Leader nor the most dominant female sprinter. It is the opinion of the writer, that, there is likely to be a new Champion in Shericka Jackson or Marie Josse Talou.
Men’s 200m
The American and defending 200m World Champion, Noah Lyles is, the World Leader at 19.47 seconds. He is also the most dominant 200m male sprinter for the current season. At 19.31, Lyles is the third fastest in history, behind Usain Bolt (19.19) and Yohan Blake (19.26). The twenty-six-years-old American is way ahead of the pack and seems en route to repeat. However, Lyles must pay close attention to countrymen Erriyon Knighton and Kenneth Bednarec, in addition to Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and Zharnell Hughes of Great Britain, all of whom have been showing exceptional form this season. However, the writer’s pick is for Lyles to defend.
Women’s 200m
Given her consistency over the 200m this season and her head-to-head victories against virtually all the top athletes, the Jamaican and defending Champion, Shericka Jackson, will be very difficult to beat in Budapest. In fact, notwithstanding the likes of Gabrielle Thomas (21.60), Jackson sells as the overwhelming favorite, to win the 200m. It is the writer’s view that not only will Jackson win and break the Championship Record of 21.45 that she holds, but, she will also break the World Record of 21.34 that is held by the American, the late Florence Griffith-Joyner. With conservative effort, Jackson posted a Season Best of 21.71 at the JAAA National Senior Championship, on July 9, 2023. Even so, there are others like Julien Alfred (21.91), Sha’Carri Richardson (21.94), Tamara Clark (22.02) and Dina Asher Smith, who should make the competition very Interesting.
Men’s 400m
The American Michael Norman is the defending 400m World Champion. However, it doesn’t appear that he will successfully defend his title. The return of Steven Gardner from injuries and Wayde Van Niekerk to form will make Norman’s defense very difficult. And with athletes like Muzala Samukonga, Rusheen McDonald*, Kirani James and the rising sensations in Sean Bailey and Antonio Watson, it is almost a certainty that Michael Norman will be dethroned. It is the view of the writer that Steven Gardner will regain the World title.
Women’s 400m
The Bahamian and defending 400m World Champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, after having her baby in April, has opted to defend her title in Budapest. But will she be able to successfully defend her title with the rise of Merileidy Paulino of Dominica, and the return of the 2019 World Champion, Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain? Of note, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has withdrawn from the World Championship due to a minor knee injury and so the quality of the field will be somewhat reduced. Nevertheless, it should be a quality field in the final. It is the writer’s opinion that, even with the absence of McLaughlin-Levrone, Shaunae Miller-Uibo will be dethroned and Salwa Eid Naser will regain the title she first won in 2019.
Men’s 800m
The Kenyan, Emmanuel Kipkurui, won the men’s 800m final at the 2022 World Championship in Oregon, USA. The defending Champion won the event in a season best of 1:43.71. However, what are his chances of winning the event in Budapest? Who are his main rivals? For the current season, there are six athletes that have gone below 1:43.71. These are Wyclife Kinyamal of Kenya (1:43.22), Emmanuel Wanyoni of Kenya (1:43.27), Marco Arop of Canada (1:43.30), Slimane Moula of Algeria (1:43.38), Djamel Sedjati of Algeria (1:43.40) and Benjamin Robert of France (1:43.48). It is the writer’s view, that, the men’s 800m final in Budapest will be an epic battle. However, Emmanuel Kipkurui of Kenya will successfully defend.
Women’s 800m
At the 2002 Oregon World Championship, American Athing Mu ran a world lead of 1:56.30, to win the women’s 800m final. On that occasion, Mu got the better of Keley Hodgkinson of Great Britain (1:56.38) and Mary Moraa of Kenya (1:56.71). The question is: with Mu’s inactivity this year and her dithering with respect to competing at the Budapest World Championship, is she mentally and physically ready to successfully defend her title or will the likes of Keley Hodgkinson and Mary Moraa dethrone her? This Year, Keeley Hodgkinson has the World Lead at 1:55.77. Mary Moraa follows at 1:56.85. It is the writer’s opinion, that, Athing Mu will successfully defend her title in Budapest.
Men’s 1500m
At the 2022 Oregon World Championship, Jake Wightman of Great Britain won the men’s 1500m final in a world lead of 3:29.23, to get the better of Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway (3:29.47SB) and Mohamed Katir of Spain (3:29.90SB). This year, Jakob Ingebrigtsen has posted a World Lead of 3:27.14, while Mohamed Katir has stopped the clock in 3:28.89. Unfortunately, there will be no Jake Wightman at this year’s World Championship due to injuries sustained. All things considered, it is the writer’s opinion that Jakob Ingebrigtsen should win the men’s 1500m in Budapest.
Women’s 1500m
Last year, at the 2022 Oregon World Championship, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya won the women’s 1500m in 3:52.96, to get the better of Gudfaf Tsegay of Ethiopia (3:54.52) and Laura Muir of Great Britain (3:55.28SB). This year, Kipyegon has posted a World Record of 3:49.11, while Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia (3:54.03) and Hirut Meshesha of Ethiopia (3:54.87) were the next best two on time. Based on her dominance this year, it is the writer’s opinion that Faith Kipyegon should successfully defend her title in Budapest.
Men’s 400m Hurdles
Last year, at the 2022 Oregon World Championship, the Brazilian Alison Dos Santos won the men’s 400m hurdles in a Championship Record of 46.29. He was followed by the Americans Rai Benjamin (46.89SB) and Trevor Bassitt (47.39PB). The incumbent and World Record Holder, Karsten Warholm of Norway, finished seventh which was largely attributable to a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the season. This year, Warholm has returned to competition injury-free, posting a World Lead and Diamond League Record of 46.51. Warholm is followed by Rai Benjamin (46.62) and Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Island (47.26). It was doubtful whether Alison Dos Santos would compete in Budapest. However, it was confirmed that the Brazilian will be defending his title. All things considered, it is the view of the writer that Karsten Warholm will dethrone Alison Dos Santos, and regain the title.
Women’s 400m Hurdles
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will not defend her 400m hurdles title. In fact, the American had previously switched her focus to the 400m, but has withdrawn from the World Championship altogether, citing a minor knee injury. With the absence of McLaughlin-Levrone, the Dutchwoman Femke Bol seems the clear favourite to win this title. Femke Bol is the World Leader in 51.45, a Diamond League Record. She is next followed by Britton Wilson of the USA (53.23) and Andrenette Knight of Jamaica ( 53.26).
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Last year, at the 2022 Oregon World Championship, Grant Holloway won the men’s 110m Hurdles. On that occasion, the Jamaican and reigning Olympic Champion, Hansle Parchment, was ruled out of the final due to injuries he suffered during his warm-up session. This year, the Jamaican, Rasheed Broadbell, has the World Lead of 12.94. He is next followed by the Americans Cordell Tinch (12.96) and Holloway (12.98). It is the writer’s view that Rasheed Broadbell will dethrone Grant Holloway and win the world title.
Women’s 100m Hurdles
The Nigerian, Tobi Amusan is, the reigning World Champion and World Record Holder in 12.12 seconds. There were some doubts surrounding Amusan’s participation in Budapest. However, the Nigerian has gotten clearance from World Athletics to compete at the upcoming World Championship. But will she successfully defend her title, given the distractions she has experienced and the fact that the Americans Nia Ali, Kendra Harrison and Masai Russell, along with Jasmin Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico and others are on the cutting-edge of their game. It is really a difficult event to call. However, it is the writer’s view that, notwithstanding the distractions and the quality of the named athletes, Tobi Amusan will successfully defend her title.
Men’s Triple Jump
Last year, at the 2022 Oregon World Championship, Pedro Pichardo of Portugal, won the men’s triple jump, cutting the sands in a world lead of 17.95m (+0.3m/s). On that occasion, Hugues Fabrice Zango of Burkina Faso, was second in a season best of 17.55m (+1.4m/s), while Yaming Zhu of China was third in a season best of 17.31m (-0.8m/s). This year, the Jamaican eighteen-years-old sensation, Jaydon Hibbert, has the world lead of 17.87m, while Hugues Fabrice Zango of Burkina Faso (17.81m) and Andy Diaz Hernandez of Italy (17.75m) round-out the top three. But, will Pedro Pichardo of Portugal, the Olympic Champion, World Champion and European Champion, successfully defend his World title or will he be dethroned by Jaydon Hibbert or Hugues Fabrice Zango? It is the writer’s view that Jaydon Hibbert will become the youngest World Champion ever.
Women’s Triple Jump
Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela is the defending World Champion in the women’s triple jump. Rojas is the World Record Holder with a mark of 15.74m. She is also the 2019 World Champion, the 2021 Olympic Champion and the 2022 World Champion. In addition, Rojas has the 2023 world lead of 15.18m (+0.3m). It is the view of the writer that she should easily retain the World title.
Henley E. Taylor
Freelance Sports Writer
Edited by Raymond Byfield
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