The Hungarian Grand Prix is taking a step forward

A couple of weeks after the Olympics, international athletics is coming back to life and we will see world class athletes along with the best Hungarians in Budapest. It is impossible to tell who the favourites will be on August 24 in Budapest, at the Lantos Mihály Sport Centre, but we can compare the current personal bests. Athletes who participate will get the chance to collect valuable ranking points which can help them qualify for next year’s world and European Championships.

As we have written before, the women’s shot put and the men’s discus will be part of the Diamond League point system due to the fact that some events could not be held because of the pandemic.

Men

It is always difficult to predict who will come out on top in the men’s 100 metres, but Marvin Bracy (9.85) is as good a bet as any. Bracy is an indoor World Championship silver medallist, former Diamond League winner, two-time Pan American Games winner and four-time National Champion in the 60 metres. In 2021 he finished third at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Székesfehérvár.

His compatriot Kyree King (9.97) has also run a sub 10 second 100 metres. He came in fifth in this distance at the Gyulai István Memorial and finished sixth in the 200 metres which was won by Andre de Grasse who went on to win the Olympics. Hi

We will see three men in the 800 metres who have a faster than 1:45 personal best. Michael Saruni (1:43.98), who holds the African record will compete against indoor World Championship bronze medallist Eric Sowinski (1:43.98) and Puerto Rican Pan American Games silver medallist Wesley Vázquez (1:43.83).

The men’s 1500 metres will feature three sub 3:35 runners. Adel Mechaal (3:30.77), who finished fifth at the Olympics is one of the favourites. He has a gold and bronze medal from the indoor European Championships and a silver from the outdoor European Championships. He will have to face a tough challenge from British Piers Copeland (3:34.62) who finished fifth at the indoor European Championships this year. German Robert Farken (3:34.64) will also have a say in the race for the gold medal. He is a National Champion of the 1500 metres and the indoor 800 metres and was part of the European Championship winning German team in Chorzow.

The 110 metres will feature Daniel Roberts (13.00) who won the USA trials and a Diamond League event in 2019. Next to him will be Rasheed Broadbell (13.10) and African record holder Antonio Alkana (13.11) who is a regular at the Gyulai István Memorial.

The favourite of the 400 metres hurdles will be Jr. Aldrich Bailey (48.55) who is an U18 and two-time U20 World Champion. The 3000 metres steeplechase will be headlined by seven-time Danish national champion Ole Hesselbjerg.

Jr. Darryl Sullivan (2.33) will be the favourite of the high jump while it will be tough to beat Mykhaylo Kokhan (80.78) in the men’s hammer throw. The Ukrainian hammer thrower finished second at the Gyulai István Memorial and was fourth at the Olympics.

The men’s javelin will be headlined by Aliaksei Katkavets (86.05) from Belarus.

Women

Jamaican Natasha Morrison (10.87) will battle against American Kayla White (10.95) and British Daryll Neita (10.96) in the women’s 100. In the 800 metres Esther Guerrero (1:59.22) will go up against Christina Hering (1:59.41) and Adelle Tracey (1:59.50.)

The 100 metres hurdles will bring about an exciting race as well with American Gabrielle Cunningham (12.53) being the favourite to take home gold. Cunningham was a finalist at the Tokyo Olympics and finished seventh (13.01).

The 400 metres hurdles will feature Cara Nnenya Hailey (54.24) while Anna Tropina (9:26.86) and Alicia Konieczek (9:27.79) are the favourites in the 3000 metres steeplechase.

The high jump title will likely be decided between Karyna Demidik (2.00), Maria Vukovic (1.97) and Safina Sadullayeva (1.96).

Abigail Irozoru (6.86) and Taliyah Brooks (6.78) are the favourites in the long jump while the hammer throw will feature Nastassia Maslava (74.40) and Irina Klimec (73.56).

The javelin gold will likely be decided between Kathryn Mitchell (68.92), Sara Kolak (68.43) and Lina Müze (64.87).

The schedule of the event can be found HERE.