by Alfonz Juck
XIAMEN (CHN): The best at the end. The first Wanda Diamond League meet of 2025 had a grand finale with Karsten Warholm getting a fast 33.05 in the 300 m hurdles, all-time best. WA will decide later how to ratify the first official WR at this distance, but this result has a big chance to be the first one. Faith Kipyegon was close by 0.23 to Masterkova´s 1000 m WR, Mondo in winds this time 592. Chebet beats Tsegay at 5000 m. Surprise 2nd places for Shericka and El Bakkali, Tebogo 7th, and Holloway 10th. In total, 6 World leads (counting outdoor WL of Schilder in shot put) and 8 meeting records. Top start in Egret Stadium, most big players remaining in China for the 2nd meet next Saturday in Shanghai/Keqiao.
Short event-by-event reviews
Women
200m – World champion Shericka Jackson in first 200 since July clocked 22.79 and was beaten by in-shape Battle 22.41 MR (+0.4).
1000m – Faith Kipyegon was so close with 2:29.21, only 0.23 to Masterkova WR, her last 100 was 14.8, not the fastest during the race. Still third best ever mark and WL/MR. Caldwell Oceanian record 2:32.94 for 2nd.
5000m – Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet dominated with strong speed in last 200 m (last 100 m 13.5) and got 14:27.12 MR/WL. Tsegay 14:28.18 well beaten. Pacing was not as expected for the 3000 m. Davies in 9th AUS NR 14:40.83. U20 Nbret 11th 14:47.56 PB.
100m hurdles – Grace Stark in leading position stumbled and lost with 12.58 to experienced World champion Danielle Williams 12.53 (-0.2). South African Fourie as third 12.62 beat bigger names.
High jump – Last year winner (202) Yaroslava Mahuchikh as only one cleared 197 in first attempt and that was enough this time in a revenge with Australians for Nanjing.
Shot put – Eurochamp Schilder right in first attempt 20.47 MR and outdoor WL (also Dutch outdoor best), and that was it. Jackson attacked in 2nd attempt 20.31 and home star Gong in 3rd 19.62.
Discus – Back to ground after Ramona, Valarie Allman ruled and remains unbeaten since Budapest Worlds with 68.95. In US living Cuban Perez second 66.26 and World champ Tausaga 64.91. In fourth Van Klinken beats home star Feng and legendary Elkasevic.
Javelin (non-DL) – 2022 European champion Elina Tzengko in top shape with 64.75 MR, her best since 2022. She had 2 more throws enough to win 63.12 and 62.64. Olympic medalist Jo-Ana Van Dyk only 6th.
Men
100m – With huge PB levels only the winner Simbine clocked sub 10 with 9.99 (+0.2). He took the lead at 50 m (5.67) and 60 m (6.52) and confirmed Gaborone 1st. Omanyala closed well in 10.13 ahead of Azu 10.17. Coleman was second until 90 m and faded to 4th 10.18 with Tebogo 7th 10.20.
400m – Ndori remains unbeaten in 2025 with 44.25 MR ahead of World Indoor champ Bailey 44.27 PB with Kebinatshipi 44.53, James (another season with sub 45) and Doom (sub 45 return) following.
110m hurdles – Olympic champion Grant Holloway was leading well until after 8th hurdle, then lost his rhythm and jogged to finish (13.72 as 10th). On inside Tinch won 13.06 MR (+0.3) over Asians Muratake 13.14 and Liu Junxi 13.24 PB.
3000m steeplechase – World and Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Soufiane El Bakkali started where he finished last year in Brussels with a loss, this time to Firewu who clocked 8:05.61 MR/WL with 8:06.66. Fourth youngster E. Serem (born 2007) 8:08.50 PB.
300m hurdles – Karsten Warholm was running like from a big book. Fastest ever 33.05 after 7 hurdles. Former world best was 33.26. Second Lima 33.98 South American best, third Toyoda 34.22 Asian best.
Pole vault – Outdoor season’s debut for Armand Duplantis was nice 592 1st attempt (worth of 605 over the bar), but then no at 601. Karalis and Vloon cleared 582 for 2nd and 3rd.
Long jump – In last moments home win as Zhang Mingkun leaped to 818 (-0.5) in fifth round. Adcock as 2nd best had the best series 815, 814, 805. Experienced Dendy third 810.
