The World Champion Returns Home for a Race of Superlatives
It was her race and a demonstration of her strength: when Ditaji Kambundji flew flawlessly over the ten hurdles on 15 September 2025, the Weltklasse Zürich and UBS Kids Cup ambassador made Swiss sporting history as the country's first-ever gold medalist at an outdoor World Athletics Championships.
Just two and a half weeks earlier, Kambundji had competed at Weltklasse Zürich, once again captivating the sold-out Letzigrund Stadium. She clipped the final hurdle and narrowly finished second. Yet despite the result, the hearts of the spectators belonged to her.
On 27 August 2026, all eyes at Letzigrund Stadium will once again be on Ditaji Kambundji. The world champion returns to Zürich for her home race and will face the very best in the world. Olympic champion Masai Russell, world record holder Tobi Amusan, as well as Devynne Charlton, Grace Stark, and Nadine Visser are all confirmed, meaning the current top six athletes in the world rankings over 100 m hurdles will be on the start line.
Alongside Kambundji, one athlete in particular will attract attention: Olympic champion Masai Russell. The American has been in sensational form throughout 2026. Following her victory at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Shanghai, she clocked 12.14 seconds in Xiamen, the second-fastest time in history. Russell also remained unbeaten in Eugene, where she backed up her dominance with a meeting record and further underlined her ambition to claim another victory in Zürich.
While Russell recently recorded the second-fastest time ever run, the world record of Tobi Amusan has remained untouched, at least for now. The Nigerian made athletics history in 2022 when she ran 12.12 seconds in the semifinals of the World Championships in Eugene, setting a world record that still stands today. Just hours later, she became the first athlete from her country to win a world title. Zürich will therefore bring together the defining champions of the discipline: world champion Ditaji Kambundji, Olympic champion Masai Russell, and world record holder Tobi Amusan. A race of superlatives.
The remaining challengers arrive in Zürich with equally impressive credentials. Devynne Charlton has dominated the indoor season in recent years, winning three consecutive World Indoor titles over 60 m hurdles. In 2024, the Bahamian also set a world indoor record in the event.
Grace Stark and Nadine Visser are likewise among the world's leading hurdlers. Stark claimed the bronze medal at the World Championships, while Visser enters the competition as a World Indoor silver medalist.
Rarely has the competition in the women's 100 m hurdles been as strong as it is today. And rarely has a race featured such an exceptional field. World champion versus Olympic champion versus world record holder versus world indoor champion. Margins of hundredths of a second will determine victory, defeat, and new personal bests.
Everything is set for a thrilling contest right down to the final hurdle. Who will prevail at Letzigrund Stadium, and can Ditaji Kambundji deliver another unforgettable moment in front of her home crowd?
With today's announcement, the biggest names in the field are now confirmed. Additional athletes will be announced in the coming weeks.
All confirmed stars for Weltklasse Zürich 2026