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When Jamaican sprint icon Usain Bolt's retirement from athletics in 2017, the question has always been if world athletics still have any megastars left in track and field.
Some may not come as close as Bolt in terms of adding colour to the sport, but they are superstars in their own right.
As the latest edition of World Athletics Championships takes off in Bupadest, Hungary on Saturday, City Press looks at some big names that have descended on the Hungarian capital for the nine-day global track and field meet.
Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa)
There is no doubt that Wayde van Niekerk has cemented his place among athletics’ famous stars thanks to his world record-breaking performances over the 400m since he captured his first major title in 2015.
READ: Akani Simbine back on familiar record breaking ground Hungary for medals
The one-lap event was for many years a forte of the Americans, that even the world record (43.18 seconds) was held by Michael Johnson for 17 years until Van Niekerk lowered the mark to 43.03 at the 2016 Olympic games.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica)
With a different colour hair for a different race, it is hard not to ignore the Jamaican ace sprinter in the track. Still, even without her eye-catching hairdo, Fraser-Pryce’s accomplishments in athletics speaks for her: a record five-time 100m world champion.
At 36, the Budapest championships is certainly her last.
Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya)
It is anticipated that Africa could make a breakthrough with a podium finish in the 100m.
The former Kenyan sevens rugby player is touted as the latest talent capable of changing the status quo in the short dash.
The 27-year-old is familiar to South Africans having already wrestled the African 100m record from Mzansi’s sprint star Akani Simbine.
READ: Akani Simbine’s rivalry with 'Beast' Omanyala to go to a whole new level
Omanyala, a Commonwealth Games and African champion, has not only wowed the spectators with his sub-10 second performances, but he is also establishing himself as a showman of note.
On the eve of the Budapest championships he went through his final practice sessions at the event venue showing off his "six pack".
Fred Kerley is the defending world 100m champion and one America’s popular sprinters thanks to sometimes his over-the-top fashion styles.
Kipyegon’s world record breaking exploits has made athletics enthusiast world over to sit up and take notice.
The 29-year-old Kenyan will definitely have all the cameras and eyeballs on her when she lined-up in the 1500m and the 5 000m events in Budapest.
Kipyegon shattered world records over the two distances in a matter of few days apart in the Diamond League two months ago.
Kiyegon, a two-time world and Olympic champion, ran set a new mark of 3:49.11 in the 1500m in Rome, Italy on June 2.
She then clocked 14:05.20 seven days later at the Paris, France Diamond race.
Noah Lyles (US)
The 24 year-old is dominating the 200m and this is what has gained Lyles a good following.
Along Fred Kerley, they are the latest poster boys of the US track and field team.
Sifan Hassan (Netherlands)
If there is any athlete who can be defined as the one who is made of steel, it has to be Hassan.
Hassan won gold in the 5 000m, a bronze in the 1 500m and won the 10 000. She achieved her feat in the 1 500m despite falling during the qualifying races. She is going again in Budapest where her quest will for three medals will start on day one of competition.
