Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault sensation, made a memorable mark in Xiamen last year by setting a new world record of 6.24 meters to kick off his outdoor season. The 2024 season was a standout for Duplantis, highlighted by his second Olympic gold medal, achieved with yet another world record of 6.25 meters in Paris. He continued his record-breaking streak with a third world record at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Silesia, before capping the season by claiming his fourth Wanda Diamond League trophy at the final in Brussels. Chinese fans are eagerly anticipating Duplantis’ return to Egret Stadium in April.
Grant Holloway, the three-time world champion in the 110-meter hurdles, also enjoyed a stellar 2024 season. The American hurdler claimed his first Olympic gold medal in Paris and will be looking to challenge the meeting record of 12.96 seconds, set by Hansle Parchment of Jamaica at the inaugural Xiamen meet in 2023. Holloway’s season’s best of 12.86 seconds, recorded in Eugene in June, underscores his consistency and potential to deliver another electrifying performance. With the high hurdles being a perennial favorite among Chinese athletics fans, Holloway’s presence in Xiamen promises a race to remember.
As the Wanda Diamond League kicks off its 2025 season in Xiamen, the spotlight will be on these two global stars, ensuring an exciting start to the year for athletics enthusiasts around the world.
