Nafissatou Thiam won the women’s heptathlon title at the Decastar 2026

The historic Stade Pierre Paul Bernard in Talence, France, played host to a thrilling showcase of multi-event excellence on September 18–19, 2026. Marking its 50th-anniversary edition, the prestigious Décastar served as the grand finale for the World Athletics Combined Events Tour Gold series. While the men’s decathlon provided plenty of drama, all eyes were fixed on the women’s heptathlon, which featured the highly anticipated return of Belgium’s multi-event icon, Nafissatou Thiam. Two years after capturing her historic third consecutive Olympic crown at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Thiam delivered a majestic performance to claim the overall victory, weathering immense pressure from an emerging generation of track stars.

Nafissatou Thiam’s journey back to the top has been anything but smooth. Since her historic triumph in Paris, the 32-year-old Belgian star has endured a grueling two-year stretch defined by recurring injuries and administrative friction with her national athletic federation. Competing in her first completed heptathlon since 2024, Thiam walked onto the track in Talence with everything to prove. Having previously won the Décastar title in 2019, the venue held a special place in her career, and she once again proved that her competitive spirit remains unmatched.

Thiam secured the overall victory with a final score of 6,482 points. Though below her ultimate personal bests, the score was a monumental testament to her resilience. Thiam’s strength in the field events proved decisive, particularly in the shot put and javelin throw, where she routinely gains massive point advantages over her competitors. Her emotional celebration at the conclusion of the 800-meter race encapsulated her relief, as she expressed immense joy at finally finishing a multi-event program and feeling like a true heptathlete once again.

The first day of competition on Friday, September 18, set a fiercely competitive tone. It was not Thiam who grabbed the early headlines, but rather her compatriot and reigning world indoor pentathlon champion, Noor Vidts. In an exceptional display of consistency across the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and the 200-meter sprint, Vidts asserted herself as the multi-eventer to beat.

By the end of Friday’s events, Vidts held a slim but crucial 14-point overnight lead over Thiam. The Belgian duo separated themselves from the rest of the field, setting up a tantalizing second-day showdown. This narrow margin left absolutely no room for error, creating a high-stakes environment heading into Saturday’s final three disciplines: the long jump, javelin, and the grueling 800 meters.

While the Belgian rivalry dominated the headlines, Germany’s Anna-Elisabeth Ehlers produced the true breakthrough story of the weekend. The promising young German athlete stayed within striking distance of the leaders throughout the first day and mounted a sensational charge on day two.

Ehlers excelled in the technical disciplines, putting immense pressure on Thiam and Vidts. She ultimately crossed the finish line with a magnificent new personal best of 6,374 points, earning a spectacular second-place finish. To finish just 108 points behind a three-time Olympic champion represents a career-defining moment for the young German, signaling her arrival as a major threat on the global combined events circuit.

On Saturday, Thiam utilized her vast championship experience to overturn her 14-point deficit. Her prowess in the javelin throw served as the turning point, allowing her to leapfrog Vidts and hold off Ehlers’ late surge. Meanwhile, Vidts experienced a tougher second day, fading slightly in the final standings but holding on tenaciously to complete the podium. Vidts secured third place with 6,329 points, capping off a remarkable double-podium finish for Belgium.

Rounding out the top tier of competitors was Germany’s Vanessa Grimm, who put together a highly commendable series to finish fourth with 6,256 points. Lithuania’s Beatrice Juškevičiūtė secured fifth place with 6,223 points, proving the exceptional depth of this year’s anniversary field.

Final Standings: 2026 Décastar Women’s Heptathlon
1. Nafissatou Thiam (BEL) – 6,482 points
2. Anna-Elisabeth Ehlers (GER) – 6,374 points (PB)
3. Noor Vidts (BEL) – 6,329 points
4. Vanessa Grimm (GER) – 6,256 points
5. Beatrice Juškevičiūtė (LTU) – 6,223 points

As the curtain fell on the 2026 Décastar in Talence, the women’s heptathlon left an indelible mark on the season. Nafissatou Thiam proved that despite adversity and injury, her throne remains secure, while the brilliant rise of Anna-Elisabeth Ehlers promises an exciting future for international athletics.