Johnson Wins Men’s 200m as Jerusalem Hosts Major International Athletics Meet

The Grand Slam Jerusalem athletics meet was held on Thursday at Givat Ram Stadium in Jerusalem, despite Israel’s complicated security situation. It was billed as the largest international sports event in Israel since the end of the war, after a period of uncertainty over whether such competitions would still take place in the country. About 1,800 spectators attended, with organizers later saying roughly 2,000 fans had come to the stadium.

The event featured about 71 athletes from 29 countries alongside Israel’s top track and field competitors. In the men’s 100m, South Africa’s Cheswill Johnson won in 10.02 seconds, followed by fellow South African Marco Ferreira in 10.08 and Bulgaria’s Aristo Eliav in 10.15. Johnson also won the men’s 200m in a personal best of 20.26, ahead of Israel’s Blessing Afrifah in 20.36 and Lithuania’s Gediminas Truskauskas in 20.59.

Israel also recorded strong results in the jumps and hurdles. Jonathan Kapitolnik finished second in the men’s high jump with 2.21 meters, tied with winner Kason O'Riley of the United States. Israel’s Yeshay Ifermov took third in the men’s long jump with 7.68 meters, while Ralcio Somcal of Italy won the men’s 400m hurdles in 49.74. In the men’s 800m, Brazil’s Guilhermo Hornas won in 1:46.33.

On the women’s side, Emma Taineo of Finland won the 100m in 11.46 and the 200m in 23.75. Israel’s Noa Levi took second in the women’s 400m hurdles in a personal best of 57.47, and Romi Tamir and Mili Tonkel finished second and third respectively in the long jump with personal bests of 6.37 and 6.16 meters. In the discus, Israel’s Estelle Vallano was second with 53.73 meters, and in the women’s 1500m, Ahmedam Gebnayo Elhagen won in 4:12.71. Organizers said the meet showed that “the Israeli sports world does not stop” and that Jerusalem delivered “a true athletics celebration” despite the security challenges.