USA’s Masai Russell and China’s Yan Ziyi produced the standout performances at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Xiamen on Saturday, with Russell running the second fastest time in history in the 100m hurdles in a Diamond League record of 12.14 (0.5m/s) and Ziyi launching a Diamond League record of 71.74m in the women’s javelin, the second longest throw in history.
Russell smashed her own American record to come up just shy of Tobi Amusan’s world record of 12.12, the reigning Olympic champion coming home clear of Amusan (12.28) and Devynne Charlton, who set a Bahamian record in third of 12.37.
“I said all year I’m going to break the world record, I don’t know when it’s going to come but I keep getting closer and closer,” said Russell. “All the hard work is truly showing. I don’t know what’s to come.
“Once we back off [training] and get into championship season, we’ll see some even crazier times. I just want to take it meet by meet, not think too far ahead and really just compete.”
Ziyi, just one day on from her 18th birthday, unleashed her massive throw of 71.74m in the opening round of the women’s javelin, breaking the world U20 record and shattering the Asian record, putting her behind only Barbora Spotakova’s world record of 72.28m on the all-time list. Norway’s Sigrid Borge threw 65.00m to take second with Serbia’s Adriana Vilagos third with 63.64m.
“I was more than thrilled to see the result,” said Yiyi. “I came to this race with the goal for 65 metres so it really blew my mind to see that result coming. After that very first throw, I decided to pass the rest since I felt it will be smart to save some energy since I will have some international events coming soon.”
She believes there is much more to come.
“A flash in the pan is not what I want,” she said. “I don’t want this 71.74m to be just a one-time thing. I think I can push harder. I will see how it will go for the next couple of years and prepare for breaking the world record.”
Shericka Jackson produced a powerful performance to take the women’s 200m, the Jamaican star clocking a meeting record of 21.87 (0.2m/s), her fastest time since 2023. She got a flying start and came home a couple of metres ahead of Shaunae Miller-Uibo (22.04), with Anavia Battle third (22.29) and Sha’Carri Richardson fourth in 22.38.
Photo credit: LIAM BLACKWELL for Diamond League AG
“For me it’s not about the fast or slow, it’s just about focusing on myself for the last year,” said Jackson. “The focus was just to stay healthy. I think I got a little inkling at the World Championships and that’s why I started the season a little bit later than usual. So now I’m focusing on working on fine details and learning proper technique under pressure.”
Alison dos Santos got the better of Karsten Warholm in a thrilling duel in the men’s 400m hurdles, the Brazilian clocking a world-leading 46.72 to Warholm’s 46.82, with USA’s Caleb Dean third in 47.75.
“It felt good,” said Dos Santos. “I always try to get the speed up at 300, I cannot go too fast at the beginning of the race so I am excited with the time. I did not think I could go that fast with this type of race. I am just proud.”
Ferdinand Omanyala was a clear winner of the men’s 100m, the Kenyan celebrating early but still clocking a swift 9.94 (0.2m/s) to beat Gift Leotlela (10.00) and Trayvon Bromell (10.03). “It was so fun,” he said. “A good start. It is my second Diamond League win ever so I have to be excited.”
Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi came from behind to claim victory in the men’s 400m, the world champion setting a meeting record and world lead of 43.92 to beat Muzala Samukonga (44.04) and Zakithi Nene (44.40).
The women’s 3000m steeplechase served up a thrilling three-way clash between Peruth Chemutai, Winfred Yavi and Faith Cherotich, with Chemutai proving the strongest for the second successive Diamond League meeting to take victory in a meeting record and world lead of 8:51.06. Yavi took second in 8:51.54 with Cherotich third in 8:52.53.
Rajindra Campbell set a Jamaican record of 22.34m to win the men’s shot put, with USA’s Jordan Geist second with 21.52m and reigning world champion Ryan Crouser taking third with 21.41m in his first competition for eight months.
“The goal was to get over 22,” said Campbell. “The national record came so I’m really excited. It shows that I’m in good shape. I’m excited for the next couple of meets to see if I can push the record.”
Photo credit: MARTA GORCZYNSKA for Diamond League AG
Ukraine’s Yuliya Levchenko netted her first Diamond League win since 2020 as she soared over 1.99m to take victory in the women’s high jump, with her compatriot Iryna Gerashchenko second with 1.97m and Lamara Distin of Jamaica third with 1.94m.
Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece set a meeting record of 8.46m to win the men’s long jump, his winning effort coming in the third round and he opted out of his remaining attempts. Tajay Gayle took second with 8.32m while Bozhidar Saraboyukov was third with 8.29m, while Italy’s Mattia Furlani was forced to retire from the competition after picking up an injury in the fourth round, his previous best of 8.28m placing him fourth.
USA’s Jamal Britt made it two Diamond League wins in as many weeks as he powered to victory in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.07 (0.5m/s), clocking the same time he had in Keqiao last weekend. Japan’s Rachid Muratake took second in 13.13 with Jamaica’s Orlando Bennett third in 13.20.
Valarie Sion continued her winning ways in the women’s discus, throwing a best of 68.45m to stay on track for her sixth Diamond League title in a row, with China’s Feng Bin second with 65.03m and Dutch athlete Jorinde van Klinken third with 64.27m.
Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune set a meeting record and world lead to win the men’s 5000m in 12:57.32, holding off the late charge of Mohamed Abdilaahi (12:57.90), with Biniam Mehary third in 12:58.51.
Australia’s Abbey Caldwell timed it to perfection to win the women’s 1500m in 3:57.26, with Ethiopia’s longtime leader Birke Haylom second in 3:57.79 and Emily MacKay third in 3:58.13.
