Paulino caps perfect year with Ultimate 400m title in Budapest

Marileidy Paulino wins the Ultimate 400m title in Budapest (© Getty Images)

Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic extended her winning streak to take the 400m title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26, winning in 49.07.

Not only was it her 12th successive victory in the 400m, it also maintained her unbeaten record across all disciplines this year.

Bahrain’s 2019 world champion Salwa Naser, drawn one lane inside Paulino, got off to the best start and had made up the stagger by the back straight. Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands also got off to her trademark fast start and was level with Naser at half way.

Paulino kept her cool, though, and kicked into top gear on the final bend. With about 70 metres to go, Paulino had hit the front and she continued to extend her lead down the home straight. Naser’s challenge faded away, but Norway’s European champion Henriette Jaeger and Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce were finishing strongly.

There was no catching Paulino, though, who charged through the line in 49.07. Jaeger was second in 49.28 and Pryce was third in 49.56. Klaver held on for fourth (49.91) while Naser faded to eighth.

“This is what I came here for and I achieved my goal of winning the Ultimate Championship,” said Paulino. “I still have some work to do on the first part of my race, but I’m not quite finished with my season – I’ll be racing at the Athlos event in London, which is one last opportunity to run sub-49.”

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics