Karsten Warholm Shatters 300m Hurdles World Record at Xiamen Diamond League Opener
The 2025 Wanda Diamond League season launched in thrilling fashion on Saturday, April 26, in Xiamen, China. Athletes delivered world leads, meeting records, and historic performances at the Egret Stadium, setting the tone for an explosive track and field season.
Men's 300m Hurdles
The 300m hurdles, a non-Olympic event, is rarely contested at the elite level. Warholm's dominance was evident as he finished well ahead of his competitors, with Brazil's Matheus Lima securing second place in 33.98 seconds, and Japan's Ken Toyoda taking third in 34.22 seconds.
Warholm: “I was a little bit surprised by how easy my legs were feeling off the last bend... This shows that the speed is there. It's a very good first race for me. I’m hungry for more gold medals."
Warholm, already renowned for his world record in the 400m hurdles and his Olympic gold in Tokyo, continues to push the boundaries of hurdling events. His latest record not only underscores his exceptional talent but also sets a high benchmark for the 2025 athletics season.
Men's 300m Hurdles Results
| Rank | Name | Nat | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WARHOLM Karsten | NOR | 33.05 World Record |
| 2 | LIMA Matheus | BRA | 33.98 SB |
| 3 | TOYODA Ken | JPN | 34.22 SB |
| 4 | AKÇAM Berke | TUR | 34.50 PB |
| 5 | BENGTSTRÖM Carl | SWE | 34.75 SB |
| 6 | McMASTER Kyron | IVB | 34.95 SB |
| 7 | Zhiyu XIE | CHN | 34.95 SB |
| 8 | ALLEN CJ | USA | 34.96 PB |
| 9 | DRUMMOND Gerald | CRC | 35.61 SB |
Women’s 1000m
Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon clocked 2:29.21, the third-fastest time in history, narrowly missing Svetlana Masterkova’s world record (2:28.98). Australia’s Abby Caldwell placed second, setting an Oceanian record of 2:32.94.
Kipyegon: “It was a very good start to my season. I hope to stay healthy for the next races.”
Women’s 5000m
Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet set a meeting record and world lead of 14:27.12, outpacing Gudaf Tsegay (14:28.18) and Birke Haylom (14:28.80). Eight athletes broke 14:34, with standout performances from Hirut Meshesha (14:29.29) and Australian record-breaker Rose Davies (14:40.83).
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase
In a major upset, Samuel Firewu (Ethiopia) surged past double Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali, winning in a meeting record 8:05.61. El Bakkali clocked 8:06.66, with Simon Koech third in 8:07.12.
Men’s Pole Vault
Olympic champion Armand "Mondo" Duplantis secured his second straight Xiamen win, clearing 5.92m. Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis finished second (5.82m), beating Menno Vloon on countback.
Duplantis: “It was not the easiest day with the wind... I know I can jump a little bit higher.”
Men’s 400m
Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori stormed to victory in a meeting record 44.25, edging USA’s world indoor champion Christopher Bailey (44.27). Both men broke the previous meeting record.
Men’s 100m
World indoor bronze medallist Akani Simbine dipped under 10 seconds, winning in 9.99 ahead of Ferdinand Omanyala (10.13). European champion Jeremiah Azu took third (10.17), while Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo faded to seventh (10.20).
Simbine: “The race felt good... I keep going with the momentum.”
Women’s Discus Throw
Double Olympic champion Valarie Allman dominated with a winning throw of 68.95m, beating Cuba’s Yaime Perez (66.26m) and 2023 world champion Laulaga Tausaga (64.91m).
Women’s Shot Put
Netherlands' Jessica Schilder set a meeting record and outdoor PB of 20.47m on her first attempt. Double world champion Chase Jackson placed second with a seasonal best of 20.31m.
Women’s 100m Hurdles
Two-time world champion Danielle Williams (Jamaica) closed strong to win in 12.53, holding off Grace Stark (12.56). South Africa’s Marione Fourie took third in 12.62, while world record holder Tobi Amusan finished fourth (12.74).
Williams: “The focus was on finishing strong. I’m back to training before Shanghai next week.”
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Cordell Tinch seized victory in a world lead 13.06 after Olympic champion Grant Holloway, who led early, stumbled at the seventh hurdle and finished last (13.72).
Women’s 200m
USA’s Anavia Battle set a meeting record of 22.41 to win the women’s 200m. Two-time world champion Shericka Jackson was second (22.79), and Jenna Prandini took third (22.97). China’s teenage star Yuje Chen (born 2008) finished fourth in a lifetime best of 22.99.
Women’s High Jump
Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchik kicked off her campaign with a clean 1.97m clearance for the win, ahead of Eleanor Patterson (1.94m) and Nicola Olyslagers.
Mahuchik: “It’s important not to feel pain. The amazing crowd supported me a lot.”
Women’s Javelin Throw
2022 European champion Elina Tzengko (Greece) set a meeting record with 64.75m, beating Tori Moorby (62.50m) and China’s Su Lingdan (61.62m).
Men’s Triple Jump
Jamaica’s Jordan Scott topped the men’s triple jump with 17.27m, ahead of China’s Yaming Zhu (17.03m) and USA’s Donald Scott (16.85m).
