Budapest Sees Sedjati Claim World Athletics Ultimate 800m Title
Algerian athlete Djamel Sedjati secured a significant international victory on Sunday, September 13, 2026, by claiming the men's 800m title at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Sedjati completed the race in 1 minute, 41 seconds, and 91 hundredths, triumphing over Canadian Marco Arop and Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
The final was characterized by a rapid pace, with Marco Arop setting a swift tempo from the outset, reaching the 200m mark in approximately 24 seconds and the bell in 49.67 seconds. Sedjati maintained a close position behind Arop throughout the race before executing a decisive move in the final straight. He overtook the Canadian approximately 25 meters from the finish line, securing his win on the closing night of the championship's first edition. Arop finished second in 1 minute, 42 seconds, and 28 hundredths, while Wanyonyi took third in 1 minute, 42 seconds, and 44 hundredths.
This victory adds to Sedjati's distinguished career, following his prior achievements as a leading contender in the 800m event. According to World Athletics statistics, he earned a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships with a time of 1 minute, 41 seconds, and 90 hundredths, and a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in 1 minute, 41 seconds, and 50 hundredths. His consistent performance, including a close finish behind Wanyonyi at the Zurich meeting, underscored his readiness for the Budapest championship.
