09/11/26 03:35:00
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09/11 15:34 CDT Duplantis, Russell, Ingebrigtsen among those cashing in for
$150K at Ultimate Championship
Duplantis, Russell, Ingebrigtsen among those cashing in for $150K at Ultimate
Championship
By EDDIE PELLS
AP National Writer
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) --- Jakob Ingebrigtsen got the latest laugh in a battle
of distance runners, hurdler Masai Russell wrapped up an undefeated,
record-setting season and both won $150,000 on Friday night for finishing first
in the first-of-its-kind Ultimate Championship track meet that awards cash
instead of medals.
Ukraine's best high jumper, Olympic gold medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh, won the
ultimate title in the same stadium where she broke through three years ago for
the world championship.
The U.S. mixed relay team, anchored by Kayla White, also took first along with
German hammer thrower Merlin Hummel.
In the closest race of the night, Ja'Kobe Tharp beat American teammate Cordell
Tinch by .01 seconds to pocket the $150K and the pewter-colored, torch-shaped
trophy that goes with it. Second place still gets $75,000 but no hardware.
Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulter, also won the title but missed all
three tries at 6.32 meters, which would have bettered his world record by 1
centimeter. Ever the showman, he'll be back Sunday to perform a live rendition
of the anthem he wrote for this event, titled "Gold."
Russell's win came two weeks after she set a world record of her own ---
finishing in 12.09 in Zurich in a Diamond League meet. This time, she rallied
late and crossed in 12.32 to beat the former record holder, Tobi Amusan, by .12.
Ingebrigtsen won the 5,000 in 12:59.24, more than .8 seconds ahead of Cole
Hocker. It felt fitting that they came in 1-2 given how the last month has
gone. The Norwegian, who won the 5,000 at the Paris Games, got into a
well-documented spat with Hocker over race tactics last month in Brussels.
Lucky for them --- and for track --- they're expected to meet in a rematch
Sunday in the 1,500, where Ingebrigtsen also has issues with Josh Kerr.
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