The National Athletics Stadium at Givat Ram hosted an international celebration of athletics, featuring high-level performances, impressive achievements by Israeli athletes, a family-friendly entertainment zone and an exceptional atmosphere in the stands. Despite the complex security situation, the Jerusalem Grand Slam continues to grow and establish its position as one of Israel’s leading athletics events.
The 2026 Jerusalem Grand Slam was held on Thursday, June 25, at the National Athletics Stadium in Givat Ram, once again placing Jerusalem and Israel on the world athletics map.
Around 1,800 spectators filled the stands and enjoyed an international sporting event featuring 71 athletes from 29 countries, alongside Israel’s leading competitors. The audience also enjoyed a family-friendly Fun Zone and live interviews from the Eldan transparent studio, which was set up in the event’s expo area.
The competition was one of the largest international sporting events held in Israel since the end of the Roaring Lion War, following a period in which there had been uncertainty over whether international events could return to the country.
This marked the third consecutive year in which the Jerusalem Grand Slam was held under a complex security reality. Despite the challenges, the event continues to grow, expand and strengthen its status as one of Israel’s leading athletics competitions.
Hosting an international competition of such a high professional standard in Jerusalem represents not only a significant sporting achievement, but also a clear statement of resilience, continuity and Israel’s ability to continue welcoming major international sporting events.
Much More Than an Athletics Competition
The atmosphere inside the stadium once again demonstrated that the Jerusalem Grand Slam is much more than a sporting competition. The proximity to the track, the evening light show, the energy in the stands and the direct connection between the crowd and the athletes created an intimate, powerful and moving viewing experience.
The energy was also strongly felt by the international athletes, who competed in front of an enthusiastic and supportive Jerusalem crowd and delivered a series of high-quality performances and closely contested events.
South African Dominance in the Sprints
South Africa’s Cheswill Johnson was one of the standout stars of the evening after completing a sprint double.
Johnson won the men’s 100 metres in 10.02 seconds. His fellow South African Marco Ferreira finished second in 10.08 seconds, while Aristo Eliav of Bulgaria placed third in 10.15 seconds.
Later in the evening, Johnson also won the men’s 200 metres, setting a personal best of 20.26 seconds. Israel’s Blessing Afrifah finished second in 20.36 seconds, while Gediminas Truskauskas of Lithuania placed third in 20.59 seconds.
In the men’s long jump, South Africa’s Luvo Manyonga won with an impressive leap of 8.35 metres, recorded with a wind reading of 2.6 metres per second. Gabriel Bitan of Romania finished second with 7.91 metres in a legal wind of 2.0 metres per second, while Israel’s Yishai Ifraimov placed third with 7.68 metres.
Impressive Achievements for the Israeli Athletes
Yonatan Kapitolnik gave the Israeli crowd an exciting moment in the men’s high jump, finishing second with a clearance of 2.21 metres. Kason O’Riley of the United States won the competition, also clearing 2.21 metres, while Valentin Andora of Romania finished third with 2.15 metres.
In the women’s 400-metre hurdles, Israel’s Noa Levy set a new personal best of 57.47 seconds and finished second. Martha Rasmussen of Denmark won in 56.77 seconds, while Greece’s Genfaki Dimitra placed third in 57.71 seconds.
Israeli success was also recorded in the women’s long jump. Romi Tamir finished second with a personal best of 6.37 metres, while Milli Tonkel completed a double Israeli podium with a personal best of 6.16 metres and third place. Iryna Bodzanska of Ukraine won with a jump of 6.80 metres.
In the women’s discus, Israel’s Estelle Valanu finished second with a throw of 53.73 metres. Alexandra Emilianov of Moldova won with 58.90 metres, while Stefania Stromilo of Italy placed third with 53.38 metres.
Mercy Afrifah added another Israeli podium finish in the women’s 200 metres, taking third place in 24.01 seconds. Emma Tainio of Finland won in 23.75 seconds, while Lukresija Sabaityte of Lithuania finished second in 23.83 seconds.
High-Quality Performances on the Track and in the Field
In the men’s 110-metre hurdles, Poland’s Damian Czykier won in 13.32 seconds. Angel Diaz Rodriguez finished second in 13.38 seconds, while Bernard Mondray of South Africa placed third in 13.39 seconds.
In the men’s 400-metre hurdles, Austria’s Niklas Strohmayer-Dangl won in 49.47 seconds. Italy’s Ralfs Smolkis set a personal best of 49.74 seconds to finish second, while Hugo Menin of France placed third in 49.77 seconds.
In the men’s 800 metres, Brazil’s Guilherme Orenhas won in 1:46.33 minutes. Tom Dradriga of Uganda finished second in 1:46.89 minutes, while Biruk Adesa of Ethiopia placed third in 1:47.23 minutes.
In the men’s discus, Greece’s Dimitrios Pavlidis won with a throw of 63.14 metres. Oskar Stachnik of Poland finished second with 57.87 metres, while Janos Huszak of Hungary placed third with 57.25 metres.
Major Moments in the Women’s Events
Emma Rupsytė won the women’s 100 metres in 11.46 seconds. Maayke Tjin-A-Lim of the Netherlands finished second in 11.50 seconds, while Finland’s Emma Tainio set a personal best of 11.56 seconds to take third place.
Tjin-A-Lim later won the women’s 100-metre hurdles, stopping the clock at 12.72 seconds. Klaudia Wojtunik of Poland finished second in 12.96 seconds, while Nicla Mosetti of Italy placed third in 12.99 seconds.
In the women’s 1,500 metres, Habitam Gebrehiwet Elahagan won in 4:12.71 minutes. Kelato Basha Diba of Ethiopia finished second in 4:13.99 minutes, while Shito Gumi placed third in 4:17.99 minutes.
Israeli Sport Does Not Stop
The event organizers said:
“Approximately 1,800 spectators who arrived at the Givat Ram Stadium once again proved that the Jerusalem Grand Slam is much more than an athletics competition. Holding an international event of this scale in Israel, with 71 athletes from 29 countries, particularly during such a complex period, sends a clear message: Israeli sport does not stop.
Jerusalem hosted a true celebration of athletics, with a large crowd, exceptional energy and a high professional standard. Even in the face of security challenges, Israel continues to bring the world here, provide a platform for Israeli athletes and demonstrate that this country has the ability, determination and audience willing to come and offer their support.”
