The Jumps
There were three intriguing women’s jump disciplines on day 2 of the Diamond League final. In the women’s high jump, Yaroslava Mahuchikh is the world record holder and generally the one to beat. Nicola Olyslagers is the reigning World Champion, and she jumped 2.20 in the recent Zurich Diamond League. However, in Brussels, Eleanor Patterson won with 2.01, beating Mahuchikh (1.99) and Olyslagers (1.95).
An excited Patterson summed up her evening’s work: “It’s amazing. I’ve only won a Diamond League meet once before in 2023, so to win the final is insane. I knew I was in good shape after jumping 2.02m a few days ago. It was chilly, but I just went out to have fun, and I’m super happy with how today turned out. The level in the high jump is incredible, with Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Nicola Olyslagers. It’s a privilege to compete with them, but today I stayed clinical and stuck to my own process, which really paid off. Changing coaches after the Paris Olympics was a bold move, but it was the best decision of my life. When you’re a happy athlete, you produce wonderful things, and I’m over the moon to reward my team’s hard work”.
The women’s Pole Vault has been very open this year with Diamond League wins for Nina Kennedy, Molly Caudery, Angelica Moser, Sandi Morris and Hana Moll. Sadly, Molly Caudery has been out all summer, and Nina Kennedy has not competed since July. Hana Moll, just 21, who had won in Lausanne and Zurich, won in Brussels with a PR of 4.91. She commented: “I feel great; it took a lot of work to get here and then the perfect execution on the day to take home the trophy. I have a lot of great people around me who believe in me, and I have taken big steps in joining them in that belief. My first two Diamond League wins definitely helped me in not being overwhelmed going into this Final. Any bar over 4.90 is incredible, but it’s pretty special to now have the same PR as my sister Amanda”.
The women’s long-jump has been wide-open in 2026 with Diamond League wins for Monae’ Nicols, Tara Davis-Woodhall, Hilary Kpatcha, Malaika Mihambo and Alyssa Jones all on the winner’s rostrum. Nicols was the winner on the final with 6.91, commenting: “A 6.90m jump in these cold conditions is amazing. I had a big chip on my shoulder after finishing last here last year, so to come out on top now is surreal. I’m very proud of myself, my coach, and my family. I usually have a small trophy collection, but I’ll need a new shelf for this one. I might even add some plants around it to decorate. I love jumping in Europe because the crowd gives so much love to the field events. Next up is the Ultimate Championship, and then Athlos in London. I definitely have a 7- meter jump in me. My last attempt today was a foul, but it went well over 7 meters. I need to stop fouling on my last attempt and adjust my approach, but that big jump is definitely coming.”
