Marileidy Paulino advances to the Ultimate Championship final in Budapest
The stellar Dominican sprinter, Marileidy Paulino, continues to demonstrate her absolute dominance in the 400-meter dash. In a day filled with emotions in Budapest, Hungary, the Olympic champion secured her spot in the grand final of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship after winning her semifinal heat with a time of 49.58 seconds.
With an impeccable execution, the Dominican athlete took control of the race from the very first meters, maintaining a steady pace that allowed her to manage her energy for the medal-deciding moments. Her performance reaffirms her position as the clear favorite to reach the top of the podium in this prestigious competition.
Competition details and rivals
Alongside the queen of the 400 meters, high-level competitive athletes managed to qualify in the same heat, highlighting the presence of Salwa Eid Naser, Nickisha Pryce, and the Cuban Roxana Gómez. The grand final, where it will be decided who is crowned in this inaugural edition of the tournament, is scheduled for next Saturday, September 12th, at 12:08 PM, Dominican Republic time.
Marileidy Paulino seeks to add a new title to her brilliant record, returning to the stage where she was crowned world champion in 2023, consolidating her legacy in international athletics.
Awards and Dominican representation
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship not only offers prestige, but also top-tier financial incentives. The gold medal winner will take home a prize of US$150,000, while the second and third place finishers will receive US$75,000 and US$40,000 respectively.
In addition to Paulino’s participation, the Dominican delegation features the representation of other outstanding talents in the event:
- Yeral Núñez, who competes in the 400-meter hurdles event.
- Alexander Ogando, representing the country in the 200-meter sprint.
The competition, which is held from September 11 to 13, brings together 381 of the best athletes from 65 nations, closing the international season with an elite exhibition at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest.
