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 podium finish in third place. Her time, while impressive, was bested by the event winner, Julien Alfred of St Lucia, who also happens to be the reigning Olympic champion in the 100 metres and crossed the line in 21.79 seconds. The silver medal went to America's Kayla White, who posted a swift 22.00 seconds to finish just ahead of Hunt. Hunt's achievement added a bright note to an evening that also featured a solid showing from another British competitor, Success Eduan, who finished seventh out of eight entrants with a time of 23.06 seconds.
Although Eduan's placing was lower, his presence in the final underscored the depth of British sprinting talent on the continental stage. The Brussels race was a fitting continuation of Hunt's remarkable summer in Birmingham, where she captured the imagination of athletics fans across Europe. At the European Athletics Championships earlier this year, the 24‑year‑old dominated the sprint programme, walking away with four gold medals and a reputation for infectious enthusiasm that quickly turned her into a fan favourite. She triumphed individually in both the 100m and 200m events, posting winning times that placed her at the top of the European rankings.
In addition to her solo victories, Hunt contributed to Britain's success in the relay disciplines, helping the women's 4x100m team and the mixed 4x100m squad each secure gold medals. Her versatility and ability to perform under pressure have made her one of the most exciting young athletes in the sport. While Hunt was celebrating her personal best, other notable athletes were also making headlines in Brussels.
Matthew Hudson‑Smith, the British 400m specialist who claimed gold at the European Championships, competed in the men's 400m final but finished fifth, a result that fell short of expectations given his recent form. Meanwhile, Sweden's pole‑vault prodigy Armand Duplantis, who holds the world record in his event, was forced to withdraw from the Diamond League final due to a tightening in his lower back. Duplantis, who was slated to compete just a week before the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, expressed disappointment at having to pull out, noting the frustration of missing an opportunity to entertain the eager crowd.
"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," Duplantis said in a press conference. He added that his mind was racing with concerns about his health and the upcoming championship: "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." The World Athletics Ultimate Championships represent a groundbreaking addition to the sport's calendar. Launched as a biennial showdown, the event will bring together Olympic champions, World champions, Diamond League winners, and other elite competitors to contest a massive prize pool of $10 million (approximately £7.87 million). Individual champions stand to earn $150,000 (£110,865) each, making it the most lucrative payout ever offered in track and field.
The format promises high‑stakes head‑to‑head matchups that could reshape the competitive landscape and attract a broader global audience. One of the marquee names expected to attend, despite an early season-ending injury, is Noah Lyles, the men's 100m gold medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although Lyles will not race in Brussels, he confirmed his intention to travel to Budapest for the Ultimate Championships, emphasizing his role in supporting fellow athletes and contributing to the event's overall spectacle.
"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 explained. "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." Hunt's season‑best performance in Brussels not only adds a valuable medal to her growing résumé but also signals her readiness to compete at the highest levels as the sport transitions into this new era of ultra‑competitive, high‑profile events.
Her ability to deliver under pressure, combined with her charismatic personality, suggests she could become a central figure in the narrative of the upcoming Ultimate Championships. As athletes like Duplantis, Hudson‑Smith, and Lyles navigate injuries and schedule adjustments, the spotlight increasingly turns to emerging talents such as Hunt, who are poised to seize the moment and define the next chapter of elite track and field. Looking ahead, British athletics officials are optimistic that Hunt's momentum will continue into the next season, especially with the World Athletics Ultimate Championships offering a platform for athletes to showcase their speed and charisma on a global stage. Whether she will add another gold medal to her collection remains to be seen, but her performance in Brussels has already cemented her status as one of Europe's most promising sprinters, capable of challenging the sport's established stars and inspiring a new generation of fans.