Letzigrund Erupts as Alison dos Santos Sets World Record

The 2022 world champion Alison dos Santos sensationally broke the world record in the 400m hurdles at the penultimate meeting of the Wanda Diamond League season. He delivered a phenomenal run on CONICA’s “piste magique” at the Letzigrund, catching former world record holder Karsten Warholm (NOR), who had started ahead of him, already halfway through the race. After clearing hurdles nine and ten flawlessly, the 26-year-old stormed across the finish line. He improved the Viking’s world record by 14 hundredths of a second to 45.80 seconds. For the first time since 2009, the Letzigrund Stadium erupted in world-record celebration. What a goosebump moment!

The new benchmark may have come unexpectedly, but it was not entirely surprising. After all, dos Santos had already come close to the world record with his recently set world-leading time of 46.43 seconds. He had also beaten Warholm in every head-to-head race in 2026. “Today, everything came together. Everything was perfect, including the crowd and the energy,” he said. “It was incredible for me and for everyone here. I have no words for what happened. I hope Brazil stopped to watch my race.”

With a word of thanks to his coach, whom he described as being like a big brother to him, the samba dancer with a flair for impeccable style bid farewell. From today onwards, even more eyes around the world are likely to be drawn to his much-loved hair and his lavish jewellery.

Pole Vault: Duplantis and Karalis Push Each Other

The pole vault promised plenty of excitement. On arrival in the city of Zurich, Mondo Duplantis (SWE) had already said in an interview for our Weltklasse Zürich Insights video series that, he would not be able to end his career without having broken the world record at Weltklasse Zürich. He demonstrated just how determined he was to back up those words with his attempts at the world-record height of 6.32m – followed by his disappointment after failing three times.

The Swede’s final attempt came after what was arguably the highest-level men’s pole vault competition in history. His Greek rival had pushed him to great heights. Mondo had to clear 6.25m to surpass the 6.20m achieved by the runner-up. Both athletes went comfortably beyond the previous meeting record of 6.07m. What is more, 6.25m is a “Switzerland record”: never before had anyone vaulted higher on Swiss soil.

3000m: 40-Year-Old Meeting Record Erased

Exactly 40 years had passed since Saïd Aouita (MAR) set the meeting record in the 3000m. In 2026, his successor was finally found. After middle-distance shooting star Cameron Myers (AUS) made his move 250m from the finish, it was Parker Wolfe (USA) who reacted most strongly and overtook him with 100m to go. He then powered unchallenged towards his second Diamond League victory. Wolfe’s compatriot Graham Blanks also moved past Myers to secure second place. The meeting record now stands at 7:27.43 – and hopefully will last for less than 40 years.

800m: A Race of the Highest Class

The men’s middle-distance races had been eagerly anticipated, including the 800m. The pacemaker was tasked with setting world-record pace and executed his job perfectly: 49.20 seconds for the first lap. After 600m, Olympic champion and world champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) took over and ran to victory, although Djamel Sedjati (ALG) pushed him hard right up to the final metres.

A third world record of the evening was just out of reach – alongside dos Santos, Masai Russell (USA) also ran the fastest 100m hurdles ever by a woman. However, both athletes finished under 1:42.00, with the Kenyan setting a world-leading time of 1:41.76.

110m Hurdles: Jason Joseph Ignites the Fire in the Pre-Program

European 110m hurdles champion Jason Joseph provided the perfect start to a world-class evening. Shortly before the main programme began, with the Letzigrund already fully packed, the Basel native from LC Therwil hit top gear in his specialist event. His time of 13.12 seconds put him at the top of the standings and earned him his second victory after 2023. Against predominantly European opposition, he once again demonstrated his continental dominance.

The Weltklasse fans at the Letzi were louder than at the European Championships in Birmingham, Joseph said. They almost carried the 28-year-old to his first sub-13-second time. “I would have loved to run a personal best here.” That did nothing to diminish his enjoyment during the lap of honour. “I loved it. It was so long and beautiful.”

On his final attempt, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI) threw the javelin 92.07m, narrowly missing the meeting record of 92.28m.

As expected, Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE) once again demonstrated remarkable consistency in the long jump and proved unbeatable. His winning jump of 8.45m was enough for victory. At Weltklasse Zürich in the Letzigrund Stadium, Simon Ehammer cleared eight metres for the first time and finished sixth with 8.14m.

Cole Hocker is already an Olympic champion over 1500m and a world champion over 5000m, but he celebrated his first ever victory at a Diamond League meeting, finishing first in the 1500m.

A new personal best of 22.53m earned Jordan Geist (USA) a surprise victory in the shot put. Favourite Leonardo Fabbri (ITA) finished only third behind Rajindra Campbell (JAM).

These are the 2026 Weltklasse Zürich Winners

200m: Kenneth Bednarek (USA) – 19.62

400m (Pre-Program): Yuki Joseph Nakajima (JPN) – 44.62

800m: Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) – 1:41.76

1500m: Cole Hocker (USA) – 3:31.71

3000m: Parker Wolfe (USA) – 7:27.43 (MR)

110m Hurdles (Pre-Program): Jason Joseph (LC Therwil) – 13.11

400m Hurdles: Alison dos Santos (BRA) – 45.80

Pole Vault: Armand Duplantis (SWE) – 6.25

Long Jump: Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE) – 8.45

Shot Put: Jordan Geist (USA) – 22.53

Javelin Throw: Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI) – 92.07

1500m Wheelchair (Pre-Program): Marcel Hug (SUI) – 3:02.41

Click here for the highlights from the women’s events.