Eleven athletes have clinched automatic wild card places for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 after being crowned overall winners of the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Tour.
The final Gold level meeting of the series – the Orlen Copernicus Cup – took place on Sunday (22) at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Toruń, the same venue that will host the global championships from 20–22 March. The finale provided a fitting stage for the confirmation of this year’s series champions, each of whom not only secures a US$10,000 bonus but also a direct entry place for the championships.
Under World Athletics rules, national teams at the World Indoor Championships are typically limited to two athletes per discipline. However, as overall World Indoor Tour winners, these 11 athletes earn the right to compete as an additional entry for their country, potentially strengthening national squads with a third competitor in select events. Final confirmation of entries remains subject to approval by each athlete’s national federation.
Women’s Series Winners
Dutch 400m star Lieke Klaver sealed the overall title in her discipline with a string of consistent performances across the tour. Klaver’s indoor campaign underlined her status as one of Europe’s premier one-lap runners and positions her as a serious medal contender on home continent soil.
In the 1500m, Ethiopia’s teenage talent Birke Haylom claimed top honours, continuing her rapid rise in global middle-distance running. Her strength and tactical maturity throughout the series proved decisive in the standings.
The 60m hurdles crown went to Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas, whose sharp early-season form and technical precision made her a dominant force on the circuit.
Poland’s Maria Żodzik delighted home fans by capturing the high jump series title, building momentum ahead of competing for global honours on home soil in March.
Italy’s Larissa Iapichino topped the long jump standings after a consistent run of podium finishes, confirming her place among the world’s leading horizontal jumpers.
Men’s Series Winners
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake powered to the 60m series title, showcasing explosive speed throughout the tour and reinforcing Jamaica’s sprinting pedigree indoors.
Belgium’s Eliott Crestan emerged victorious in the 800m standings, his tactical racing and finishing speed proving crucial across multiple stops.
In the 3000m, South Africa’s Tshepo Tshite secured overall victory, underlining his endurance and consistency during the tour’s distance contests.
Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen claimed the pole vault crown, adding another accolade to his growing international résumé as he prepares to challenge for global medals.
Algeria’s Yasser Mohammed Triki triumphed in the triple jump standings, his series-leading performances marking him as a serious contender for podium success in March.
Rounding out the list, American Jordan Geist captured the shot put title, his powerful throws throughout the tour earning both the bonus prize and the coveted wild card.
Road to Kujawy Pomorze 26
The World Indoor Tour rotates its scoring disciplines each year, adding variety and strategic significance to the series. For these 11 athletes, the reward is twofold: financial recognition and a guaranteed opportunity to compete on one of the sport’s biggest indoor stages.
With the championships returning to Toruń’s state-of-the-art arena in March, anticipation is already building. The presence of Tour winners as wild card entrants promises deeper, more competitive fields — and the possibility of thrilling head-to-head battles when the world’s best assemble in Kujawy Pomorze.
As the countdown continues, the Indoor Tour champions have secured both momentum and opportunity — and now turn their focus to converting series success into global medals.