Top American Performances from Shanghai/Keqiao DL (May 16, 2026)

The opening meet of the Diamond League was good for U.S. athletes; here are our top moments for Americans:

Masai Russell wins the hurdles in a meet record of 12.25. One word to describe the hurdling of Masai Russell: domination.
Jamal Britt battled a tough field in the 110m hurdles, taking the win in 13.07 seconds.
Monae Nichols, one of our top long jumpers, wins the long jump in Shanghai, winning in a nifty 6.89 meters!
Aaliyah Butler is one impressive 400-meter racer. Finishing second to Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce, Butler goes 49.78 for second.
Cordell Tinch, World Champion, Tokyo 2025, takes second in 13.10 in the 110m hurdles, giving the US a one-two sweep alongside Britt’s win.
Chase Jackson throws 20.46 meters, and yes, she finishes second! Women’s shot put is tremendous in 2026.
Kenny Bendarek, the Olympic two-time silver medalist in the 200 meters, took third in the 100m in 9.98, a seasonal best, with Gift Leotlela (South Africa) in first and Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya) in second.
Kenny Bednarek, USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 31 – August 3, 2025, photo by Kevin Morris
Anavia Battle was third in the 200m in 22.40 seconds. Anavia outleaned Sha’Carri Richardson, who was 4th in the 200m in 22.24.
Brandon Miller took third in a strong 800 meters for men in 1:44.00.
Alexis Brown was third in the long jump in 6.75m, giving the US two women in the top three long jumpers.
Trayvon Bromell was fourth in Shanghai in 10.01 in a tough 100-meter men’s field.
Emily MacKay, World bronze medalist at 3000 meters, ran a fine 3:58.54 for seventh in the Women’s 1,500 meters.
Emily MacKay takes the win, ASICS Sound Running, February 14, 2026, photo by Kevin Morris/@kevmofoto
Sam Mattis was seventh in the Men’s discus with a throw of 64.81 meters.
Christian Coleman started his Diamond League season with a fine 10.19 in eighth place!
Christian Coleman, warming up, May 24, 2024, photo by Brian Eder for RunBlogRun

Author

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys.

Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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