This is a fun article. Diamond League website provides five things to look out for in Shanghai Diamond League meeting. Some fine expected performances even with no Christian Coleman and David Rudisha. For me, the men’s PV, the men’s 400 meters, and the women’s steeplechase, plus the men’s 5000 meters should be huge highlights. For the Chinese crowd, each event will have someone local to cheer. That is one of the brightest orchestrations of a meet I have seen in some time, as Chinese athletes will be in all sixteen events. For many of the 40,00 plus fans, the Shanghai DL will be a sports happening. With Chinese athletes in each event, it should warm the response in the meet as well!
Five things to look out for in Shanghai
1. Lavillenie vs Kendricks
2017 was a historic year in the IAAF Diamond League men’s pole vault, as Renaud Lavillenie failed to win the Diamond Trophy for the first time in the competition’s history.
After dominating the Diamond League for seven years straight, Lavillenie finally surrendered the title to American rival Sam Kendricks, who began a remarkable season by beating the Frenchman in Shanghai.
This year, both men are back at the Shanghai Stadium as Lavillenie looks to reestablish himself as the undisputed king of the IAAF Diamond League. Victory would be his first in Shanghai since 2014.
While Kendricks and Lavillenie enjoy a great off-field relationship, both will mean business when the Road To The Final gets underway in Shanghai, and the reigning champion meets the Diamond League legend.
2. Home advantage for title defender Gong
Gong Lijiao picked up two huge gongs in an incredible season last year, as the 29-year-old was crowned World Champion for the first time in London, before securing the Diamond Trophy in Zürich.
The Chinese shot putter will launch her title defence on home soil this Saturday, as she looks to emulate her victory in Shanghai last year.
Up against the likes of Anita Martón and six-time Diamond Trophy winner Valerie Adams, Gong will hope that the home crowd can once again inspire her to a dream start on the Road To The Final.
3. Record-breaker Manyonga returns
Another athlete looking to match last season’s success is long-jumper Luvo Manyonga, who kicked off a fabulous season in style at the 2017 Shanghai Diamond League.
Manyonga jumped a Diamond League record of 8.61m, and went on to dominate his discipline throughout the season, taking gold at the IAAF World Championships and winning the Diamond Trophy with ease.
On Saturday, the South African returns to the scene of his record-breaking exploits, as he too launches his title defence in Shanghai.
4. Ibargüen launches fightback
Like Lavillenie, Caterine Ibargüen endured her most challenging season in a long time last year, as she lost her IAAF World Championships title to Yulimar Rojas, before surrendering the Diamond Trophy to Olga Rypakova.
Defeat in Zürich saw Ibargüen fail to be crowned IAAF Diamond League Champion for the first time since 2012, and the Colombian legend will be looking to bounce back and reclaim her throne in 2018.
The four-time Diamond Trophy winner launches her Road To The Final campaign in Shanghai, where she is the firm favourite to pick up all eight points.
5. McLeod eyes Shanghai hat-trick
Omar McLeod’s Diamond League career got off to a perfect start with back-to-back wins in Doha and Shanghai two years ago.
The Jamaican has since established himself as a superstar in the 110m Hurdles, being crowned Olympic Champion in 2016 and IAAF World Champion in 2017.
The Diamond Trophy, though, still eludes him, and he will be looking to make a strong start on the Road To The Final in Shanghai. After victories in 2016 and 2017, an opening win would complete a hat-trick of Shanghai triumphs for the young Jamaican star.
