Bednarek Upsets Tebogo as Kipyegon, Chebet, and Fabbri at Brussels Diamond League Day 2
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The Wanda Diamond League Final reached its thrilling conclusion on the second day of competition at the Memorial Van Damme in Brussels. The event, held on Saturday, September 14, was marked by record-breaking performances from some of the world's premier athletes. Faith Kipyegon of Kenya and Beatrice Chebet set new meeting records in the 1500m and 5000m events, respectively, showcasing their dominance in middle and long-distance running. In field events, Italy's Leonardo Fabbri excelled by setting a new benchmark in the men’s shot put. On the track, Kenny Bednarek of the United States made headlines by outpacing Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in a fiercely contested 200m race. This full report captures all the highlights and pivotal moments from an electrifying day of athletics.
Olympic 5000 and 10000 metres champion Beatrice Chebet won the second Diamond Trophy of her career setting a meeting record of 14:09.62. Medina Eisa finished second in a world under 20 record of 14:21.89 a few weeks after winning the world under 20 gold medal in Lima. Ethiopia’s Foyten Tesfay placed third setting a PB of 14:28.53. ahead of her compatriot Ejgayehu Taye (14:29.70) and Caroline Nyaga (PB 14:30.14).
Beatrice Chebet: “I want just to say thank you for the good season. It has been an amazing year with the double gold medal in Paris and now the Diamond League trophy. I will celebrate it with my family.
It´s not easy to do even better the next years, but you have to train hard, to have faith in yourself and stay focused. Now I am going back to my country, celebrate with my family and take some holidays. After that I will focus on the next season.
Men’s shot put:
European champion Leonardo Fabbri got off to a great start setting a meeting record of 22.98m in the first round. Fabbri added three cm to his own Italian record set in Savona last May. Three-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser threw to 22.55m in the second round and improved to 22.79m in the third round. Fabbri came close again to 22 metres with 21.98m in the fourth round. Fabbri beat Crouser for the second time this season following his win in the Diamond League in London last July.
Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell threw to 21.95m in the second round to take the third spot.
Leonardo Fabbri: “It has been an amazing season. But because of that upset during the Olympics, I was very motivated to win that Diamond. This season, my coach and I worked hard on being consistent during the competitions. I know I´m capable to get that 23m, so that´s why I´m a little bit upset with the distance. Of course 22m98 is huge, but next season we´ll hopefully get that 23m. If Ryan stays healthy, we can have a good season together. The competition is strong at the moment, because I thought I could relax a bit today after that opening throw. But then I saw Ryan throwing that 22.79, so I knew I had to keep on pushing during the competition. I just love competing, even though I was tired after a long season. I train so hard because I love those big competitions. For me, there is nothing better than competing. Other people my age go out and have a drink, but I just want to push myself and compete against the best." Women’s 1500 metres:
Olympic and world champion Faith Kipyegon set a meeting record of 3:54.75 to win the fifth Diamond Trophy of her career. Diribe Welteji also dipped under the 3:56 barrier with 3:55.25 to take second place ahead of Jessica Hull from Australia (3:56.99), Freweyni Hailu (3’57”25), Nelly Chepchirchir (3:58.05), Georgia Griffith (3:58.40) and Georgia Griffith (3:58.95).
Faith Kipyegon: “It was a good race and I really thank God for that. The world record was not on my mind today. My goal was to finish my Diamond League season in a good way and I did. It was a good race, but definitely not an easy one. It was a bit cold to run 61 seconds in the first lap and 62 seconds for the next lap. I tried to be myself and focus on the finish line. Hopefully I will finish my season in New York in a good way. It will be my last race of the season. I am still looking forward to race. I started my season very late because of a small problem and I still feel strong”
Men’s 200 metres:
Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek claimed the second Diamond Trophy of his career in 19.67 beating Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, who placed second in 19.80. Bednarek ended Tebogo’s winning streak of four consecutive races in the Diamond League after the Olympic Games. The US sprinter finished second 0.02 behind Tebogo in a PB of 19.57 in Zurich last week. Alexander Ogando also broke the 20 seconds barrier to finish third in 19.97. Courtney Lindsey and Fred Kerley finished fourth and fifth respectively with the same time of 20.21.
Kenny Bednarek: I´m feeling great. It´s been a really long season: I got the silver medal in Paris, I had a few wins during the season, also a few losses: But being able to end the season with a victory in the DL final, gives me a lot of confidence for next year.
I think execution-wise I did what I needed to do and I´m happy with the performance. This year I shocked a few people with how fast I was running. I knew that I had it in me, but the last couple of seasons I had some injuries here and there. This season people saw a glimpse of what I can do. It´s not a breakout year, this is something that I was supposed to be doing. Next year I will even be faster and more dangerous.
Letsile Tebogo: “It has been a good season, but at the same time a tough season for me. I wanted to win the Diamond, but it has been a rollercoaster after the Olympics. So it wasn´t easy to keep the focus. The cameras are more on me now, but I have to focus on myself. Now it´s time to go home and take some rest."
Women’s 400 metres hurdles:
World and European champion Femke Bol won the women’s 400 metres hurdles in 52.45 claiming the fourth consecutive Diamond Trophy. Olympic silver medallist Anna Cockrell took second place in 53.71 ahead of Zurich winner Shian Salmon (53.99).
Femke Bol: “It was really fun tonight. It was a little cold to run, but with the atmosphere in the stadium I forgot all about that. I really enjoyed my race and to be able to win my 4th Diamond League trophy is just amazing. Last week I was a little bit ill. I wasn´t sure if I would compete in Brussels, because it was a really long season and it was a sign of my body that I needed some rest. However, running in Brussels feels like running in front of my home crowd and I didn´t want to miss that. Brussels is always such a fantastic experience. Now I am looking forward to a two week holiday in Sicily. I´m really happy that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was here to run, even though it was in some side events. I would have preferred running against her on the 400mH, because she´s such an amazing athlete and I can learn so much from her. Maybe the races in Brussels convinced her now to run more Diamond Leagues next season. It would be great to race against her2.
Men’s 800 metres:
Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi edged past Olympic bronze medallist Emmanuel Sedjati on the finish-line to take a close win in 1:42.70. Wanyoniy claimed his second consecutive Diamond League title following his win in Eugene last year. Sedjati finished second in 1:42.86 ahead of world gold medallist Marco Arop from Canada (1:43.25) and European champion Gabriel Tual from France (1:43.67), Elliot Crestan (1:43.74 and Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:44.00).
Emmanuel Wanyonyi: “The Diamond League is a very competitive competition. It wasn´t very warm today, but even though the race went well. The last meters were very hard, they always are. But I worked hard for it and I´m happy that I made it. And next year maybe another Diamond."
Women’s pole vault:
Olympic and world champion Nina Kennedy regained the Diamond League title with 4.88m two years after her win in Zurich in 2022. Kennedy cleared 4.50m, 4.70m in the first attempt, 4.80m in the second attempt and 4.88m at the first time of asking. Kennedy made three unsuccessfully attempt at the Oceanian record of 4.95m. Sandi Morris placed second with 4.80m beating Alysha Newman and Molly Caudery on countback. Angelica Moser finished fifth with 4.70m ahead of Roberta Bruni (4.55m).
Nina Kennedy: “I felt a lot of pressure today, because I´ve won seven competitions in a row. So the other girls were out to get me. But I stuck to my plan and it worked out. It has been my best year ever, I was very consistent and won the Olympics and tonight the Diamond League. But I didn´t jump a PB, that´s why I was aiming for that 4.95 tonight. Maybe next year, I´m still young so I have a couple of good years in me."
Women’s 100 metres hurdles:
Jasmine Camacho Quinn won her first Diamond Trophy in the 100 metres hurdles in 12.38. The Puerto-Rican hurdler claimed her 14th race in the circuit showing her consistency at this level. Nadine Visser placed second in 12.54. edging this year’s Rome and Chorzow winner Ackera Nugent from Jamaica (12.55), Grace Stark (12.59).
Jasmine Camacho Quinn: “Performance wise it was a bit slappy today, but it´s really cold today. I did the best I could today and I was able to win, so I finally have that trophy.I got bronze in Paris, but I wasn´t satisfied with that. I almost false started there and when I realized that, I held back a little bit and then the gun went off. Something that minor cost me the gold medal. It was difficult to accept, because I was in great shape and I was ready to make history and to win my second gold medal at the Olympics, but it is what it is and I cannot go back and change it. Now I´m just looking forward.”
Men’s javelin throw:
Anderson Peters from Grenada won the men’s javelin throw with 87.87m in the first round becoming the second athlete from his country to win the Diamond League title after Kirani James, who lifted the Diamond Trophy four times. World champion Neraj Chopra came very close with 87.86m in the third round to take second place. Julian Weber took third place with 85.97m.
Anderson Peters: “The goal today was obviously win the Diamond League trophies. It is the end of the season and I am still in a very good shape. I look back on a very decent season with my olympic medal as highlight. When I came to Belgium for this competition, I found a Belgian training partner. Cedric Sorgeloos is his name. It was nice to train with him because he is a very talented guy. I am curious to see what he is capable of in the next few years”.
Women’s long jump:
European silver medallist Larissa Iapichino claimed Italy’s second win of the night in the women’s long jump with 6.80m in the second round after jumping 6.77m in the secnd attempt. Iapichino won five Diamond League competitions in her career over the past two years (Florence, Stockolm and Monaco in 2023, Paris and Brussels in 2024). Monae Nichols placed second with 6.68m ahead Olympic bronze medallit Jasmine Moore (6.61m).
Larissa Iapichino: “Winning my first Diamond League Final is so amazing. Ending the season with the diamond is something to be very proud of. I tried to have fun and enjoy the competition, because I knew it was the last one. After the Olympics, I took a litte break because it was a long season and it can be a lot. So it was the right decision to enjoy a little break."
Men’s triple jump:
Pedro Pablo Pablo Pichardo from Portugal leapt to 17.33m in the second round to win his first Diamond League title since 2021. Pichardo made his breakthrough in 2015 when he jumped 18.06m in the Diamond League meeting in Doha beating Christian Taylor. Max Hess from Germany took second place with 17.23m ahead of world champion Fabrice Zango (17.05m)."
Pedro Pablo Pichardo: “This is my third Diamond League and I am really happy and proud of that. If you ask me if I would trade this DL trophy for a gold medal in Paris, I would say no. These are different circumstances. I lost the gold medal in Paris with only 2 cm, but that´s sport. I don´t usually look back: I only look forward. I know that I´m really consistent in my performances, but that´s mainly thanks to the good work of my trainers. All credits to them for keeping me in good shape and in good health”
Men’s high jump:
Gianmarco Tamberi won the third Diamond League title of his career with 2.34m following his wins in 2021 and 2022 in Zurich. Tamberi cleared all heights at 2.12m, 2.17m, 2.22m and 2.25m in his first attempt, 2.28m at the second time of asking. He had a first time clearance at 2.31m before sealing the win at 2.34m at the second time of asking. Oleg Doroshchuk equalled his PB with 2.31m to take second place. Sanghyeok Woo took third place with 2.25m.
Gianmarco Tamberi: “I was more relaxed than in Paris. Jumping 2.34m on cool night means a lot. It’s a good sign. I dedicate this win to those who supported me. I have won four of five competitions after the Olympic Games. I start from here.”
Men’s 400 metres hurdles:
Alison Dos Santos won the men’s 400 metres hurdles in 47.93 regaining the title he won in 2022 in Zurich. Dos Santos held off Abderrahman Samba on the home straight. Samba took second place in 48.20 beating Rasmus Magi (48.28).
Alison Dos Santos; “I´m taking my second Diamond League trophy home tonight and that´s a great accomplishment. I´ve fully recovered from a serious injury and I stayed healthy during this season. That´s probably the most important thing. It was not easy mentally to get back at this level, but I am happy that it all worked out. I´m part of a world class generation in the 400m hurdles with Karsten, Benjamin, Rasmus, CJ. We made history all together we are all among the best hurdlers of all time. I love running in Brussels and I actually have a link with Belgium. I´ve been training in Leuven in a place which was ideal for me. The location was good, the food was good and I had great facilities to train. I will definitely go there more often in the future to train.
Women’s 3000 metres steeplechase:
Kenya’s Faith Cherotich won her first Diamond League in 9:02.36 holding off Olympic and world champion Winfred Yavi (9:02.87) and Peruth Chemutai (9:07.60).
Faith Kipyegon: “I didn´t expect to win today, but I think that I ran a good race. It wasn´t easy, but I kept saying to myself that, if I´m still in the lead after the last water jump, I was going to win. Winning the Diamond League means a lot to me.”
Women’s 200 metres:
Britany Brown won the women’s 200 metres in 22.20 to clinch her first Diamond Trophy. Daryll Neita finished second with 22.45 ahead of Anavia Battle (22.61).
Britany Brown: “I knew I was able to win and that I could finish strong. So that´s what I did today I had a good warming up and a solid race.”
Women’s 200 metres (extra race):
Olympic 400m champion Sydney McLaughlin Levrone won the women’s 200 metres in 22.40 in her final race of the season following her win the 400 metres in 49.11. Gina Bass Bittaye finished second in 23.01.
Sydney Mclaughlin Levrone: “It was great to race here but to be honest I am just happy with my successful season and with how everything turned out. It was a little bit warmer than yesterday, but still very chilly conditions. I definitely felt a little bit better than yesterday but of course I hoped for a faster time. It is what it is. I am happy that I can walk away healthy and look back on a great season. Now I am gonna enjoy my offseason and the Belgian waffles.
Women’s javelin throw:
World and Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi won the Diamond League title for the second edition in a row with 66.13m in the sixth round one year after her triumph in Eugene.
Maggie Malone Hardin took the lead with 62.48m in the first round. It did not last long as European silver medallist Adriana Vilagos threw to 63.09m in the second round.
Kitaguchi took the lead with 65.08 towards the end of the second round.and maintained it until the sixth round, when Vilagos overtook the Japanese thrower with 65.23m. Kitaguchi responded immediately by pulling out a seasonal best of 66.13 in her final attempt to take the win confirming her reputation as a last-round specialist.
Haruka KitaguchI: “I didn´t feel that good today, because it has been a long season: After the Olympics I´ve been really tired and I didn´t train that much. The preparation for this DL final was not the best, but I´m satisfied with the result. Especially that I´ve been able to take the win in my last throw. Javelin is not really popular in Japan, but maybe my performances can inspire the young athletes."
100 metres invitational:
African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala won the men’s invitational 100 metres in 10.07 ahead of Kobe Vleminckk from Belgium (10.29) and Joshua Hartmann from Gremany (10.30).
