Great Britain's rising sprint star Amy Hunt delivered a standout performance at the season‑closing Diamond League meet in Brussels, clocking a personal season‑best of 22.16 seconds in the women's 200 metres and earning a well‑deserved third‑place finish. While Hunt's time marked her fastest of the year, it was still eclipsed by two formidable competitors. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia, the reigning Olympic champion in the 100 metres, took the gold with a blistering 21.79 seconds, and America's Kayla White claimed silver with a time of 22.00 seconds.
Hunt's achievement placed her firmly among the elite sprinters on the circuit and underscored her continued progression on the international stage. The race also featured a fellow Briton, Success Eduan, who finished seventh out of eight entrants, recording a time of 23.06 seconds. Although Eduan's performance was modest in comparison, her presence highlighted the depth of British sprint talent competing in the Diamond League.
Hunt's recent success builds on a spectacular summer campaign at the European Athletics Championships held in Birmingham. There, the 24‑year‑old captured four gold medals, quickly becoming a fan favourite thanks to her exuberant personality and dominant on‑track displays.
She topped the podium in both the individual 100‑metre and 200‑metre sprints, and also contributed to British victories in the women's 4x100‑metre relay and the mixed 4x100‑metre relay. Her four‑gold haul made her one of the most decorated athletes of the championships and cemented her reputation as a versatile sprinter capable of excelling in both solo and team events.
While the women's sprint events drew considerable attention, other notable performances unfolded in Brussels on Friday night. Matthew Hudson‑Smith, the European champion in the men's 400 metres, also representing Great Britain, finished fifth in his race, a respectable placement given the high calibre of the field.
In the pole‑vault, Sweden's world‑record holder Armand Duplantis was forced to withdraw from the Diamond League final due to a tightening in his back. His absence was felt keenly, as he had been slated to showcase his record‑breaking abilities just a week before the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest. Duplantis addressed his withdrawal with candour, stating, "The worst possible thing to do is having to pull out of a competition.
The fans wanted to see a good show and I wish I could deliver that. Unfortunately, I can't right now.
My head is everywhere right now. It's super difficult, but that's life, that's the life of an athlete. I try to stay calm and positive.
We will see if I can make the Ultimate Championships. I don't have the answer right now." His comments reflected the mental and physical challenges elite athletes face when injuries threaten their competition schedules. The upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championships represent a novel, biennial showcase that will bring together Olympic champions, world champions, Diamond League winners, and other top‑ranked athletes to compete for a historic prize pool of $10 million (£7.87 million).
Each individual champion stands to win $150,000 (£110,865), the largest single‑event payout ever offered in track and field. The format promises high‑stakes match‑ups and a festival‑like atmosphere designed to attract both traditional athletics fans and a broader global audience.
One of the marquee names expected to be present is Noah Lyles, the men's 100‑metre champion from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although Lyles has ended his competitive season early due to an injury, he confirmed his intention to travel to Hungary for the Ultimate Championships. "I am still going to be at Ultimate Championship. I still do have parties to throw and things to do behind the scenes to help support the athletes," Lyles said.
"I still think that this is going to be an amazing competition, and I'm excited to watch that. And I'm even more excited to see what the future is going to bring." Lyles' commitment underscores the event's appeal even for athletes who are not actively competing at the time. His involvement will likely add star power and generate additional media interest, further elevating the profile of the inaugural edition.
Returning to Hunt, her performance in Brussels not only adds a third medal to her season tally but also signals her readiness to challenge for top honors at the upcoming Ultimate Championships. With a season‑best time that places her within striking distance of the world’s elite, Hunt will be looking to translate her Birmingham success onto the global stage. Her combination of speed, composure under pressure, and charismatic presence makes her a compelling figure to watch as the sport moves into a new era of high‑profile, prize‑driven competition. In summary, the Diamond League final in Brussels delivered a mix of thrilling victories, unexpected withdrawals, and promising performances.
Amy Hunt's season‑best 22.16 seconds secured her a podium finish and reinforced her status as one of Britain's most exciting sprint talents. Meanwhile, the looming World Athletics Ultimate Championships promise to reshape the competitive landscape with unprecedented financial incentives and a star‑studded roster, setting the stage for a transformative moment in track and field history.