Preview: Star-Studded Line-Up Set for Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League Showdown

The second leg of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League series is set to light up the Textile City Sports Centre in Shanghai/Keqiao on Saturday, May 3. A who’s who of global athletics—including world record holders Armand Duplantis, Karsten Warholm, and Yaroslava Mahuchikh, as well as Olympic champions Letsile Tebogo, Valarie Allman, Quincy Hall, Haruka Kitaguchi, and Pedro Pablo Pichardo—will compete in a high-stakes meet that continues the momentum from the opening event in Xiamen. With elite fields across the board, including multiple reigning champions, record-setters, and rising stars, the Shanghai stop promises world-class performances and tight battles across all disciplines.

• View Shanghai Diamond League Live Stream and TV Coverage Details

Men’s Pole Vault

World and Olympic champion Armand Duplantis returns to China aiming for his second straight win of the season after clearing 5.92m in Xiamen on April 26. Just last month, he secured his third world indoor title in Nanjing with 6.15m and joined legends Sergey Bubka and Renaud Lavillenie in the record books. Duplantis has now cleared 6.00m over 100 times and owns 11 world records, the most recent being his 6.27m jump at the All Star Perche meet.

In 2024, he wowed Chinese fans with a 6.24m world record in Xiamen and followed up with a 6.00m meet record win in Suzhou. This year, he returns as the newly crowned Laureus Sportsman of the Year.

Duplantis: “I can’t wait to come back and compete at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting. Last year was such a great experience jumping in front of the Chinese crowd. Let’s make it another great experience together.”

His top challengers include Emmanouil Karalis (5.82m in Xiamen, 6.05m PB), Menno Vloon, Sam Kendricks (6.00m last year), and Ernest John Obiena, Asia’s first 6.00m vaulter. Also in the mix are Kurtis Marshall, Ersu Sasma, Ben Broeders, and China’s own Huang Bokai.

Men’s 400m Hurdles

World record holder Karsten Warholm returns to his signature event after setting a world best of 33.05 in the 300m hurdles in Xiamen—faster than his own 33.26 mark from 2021. He’ll be chasing his third Diamond League title, having already collected Olympic gold and multiple global medals.

He’ll face stiff opposition from Kyron McMaster (47.34 PB), Matheus Lima (33.98 over 300m in Xiamen), and CJ Allen (47.58 PB). The field also includes Carl Bengstrom, Berke Akcam, Gerald Drummond, Nick Smidt, Xie Zhiyu, and others.

Men’s 110m Hurdles

Cordell Tinch headlines after clocking a world-leading 13.06 to win in Xiamen. He’ll be up against Japan’s Rachid Muratake (13.14), China’s Liu Junxi (13.24), and Olympic bronze medallist Rasheed Broadbell.

Also in the field are Hansle Parchment, Orlando Bennett, Enrique Llopis, and Spain’s world indoor finalist. Grant Holloway withdrew following a fall in Xiamen.

Men’s 100m

Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo leads a stacked field including Akani Simbine, Kishane Thompson, Christian Coleman, and Jeremiah Azu. Simbine enters in top form after wins in Gaborone (9.90) and Xiamen (9.99), while Tebogo looks to bounce back from a 10.20 showing in Xiamen.

Tebogo: “I am thrilled for my first ever race in Shanghai. I can’t wait to bring some extra energy to an already amazing field.”

Thompson (9.77 PB), Coleman (2x Diamond League champ), and Azu (world/European indoor gold) round out a competitive sprint lineup.

Women’s High Jump

World record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh opened her 2025 season with a 1.97m win in Xiamen and returns to defend her three-year Diamond League streak. Her biggest rivals: Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers (2.01m SB) and Eleanor Patterson (1.97m SB), both of whom medalled in Nanjing and Paris.

Other contenders include Morgan Lake, Ella Junnila, Yulia Levchenko, Christina Honsel, and Imke Onnen.

Women’s Discus

Valarie Allman continues to dominate after winning in Xiamen with 68.95m. She holds the world’s best throw since 1989 (73.52m) and aims for her fifth straight Diamond League crown.

Cuba’s Yaime Perez, world champ Laulaga Tausaga, legend Sandra Elkasevic, and rising stars like Jorinde Van Klinken and Vanessa Kamga complete a deep field.

Women’s Shot Put

Jessica Schilder leads after her world-leading 20.47m throw in Xiamen. She’ll face Chase Jackson (20.31m SB), Sarah Mitton, Song Jiayuan, and a competitive cast including Danniel Thomas Dodd and Maggie Ewen.

Men’s 400m

Olympic champ Quincy Hall makes his season debut after a PB of 43.40 in Paris. He’ll take on Bayapo Ndori (44.25 in Xiamen), Christopher Bailey, Kirani James, Alexander Doom, and others, including Vernon Norwood and Lythe Pillay.

Women’s 100m Hurdles

Danielle Williams won in Xiamen in 12.53 and will again face Grace Stark, Devynne Charlton, Marlone Fourie, Pia Skrzyszowska, and Tobi Amusan. Nia Ali and Tonea Marshall also return.

Women’s 200m

Anavia Battle is in form after a PB of 10.98 in the 100m and a win in the 200m in Xiamen. She’ll line up against Jenna Prandini, Twanisha Terry, Henriette Jaeger, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Amy Hunt.

Men’s 5000m

Berihu Aregawi leads the 5000m field, with Olympic silver and two Diamond League titles to his name. Nicholas Kipkorir, Getnet Wale, and Benson Kiplangat will try to spoil his run.

Men’s Steeplechase

Samuel Firewu edged Soufiane El Bakkali in Xiamen and will try again in Shanghai. El Bakkali, unbeaten for three years before last season’s final, seeks redemption. Simon Koech and Abraham Kibiwot are also in the hunt.

Women’s Javelin

Olympic and world champion Haruka Kitaguchi makes her season debut. Elina Tzengko (64.75m SB), Jo Ane Van Dyk, Victoria Hudson, and 16-year-old world U20 record holder Yan Ziyi are key challengers.

Women’s 800m

Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma and Nigist Getachew headline a wide-open 800m field. Halimah Nakaayi, Natoya Goule Toppin, and Sage Hurta Klecker will be in the mix.

Men’s Triple Jump

Pedro Pablo Pichardo opens his season against Fabrice Zango, Zhu Yaming, Jordan Scott, and Yasser Tricki in a showdown of Olympic and world medallists.

Men’s Long Jump (non-DL event)

Wayne Pinnock headlines after medalling at every major championship in 2023–2025. Tajay Gayle, Zhang Mingkun, Liam Adcock, Bozhidar Saraboyoukov, and Jeremiah Davis round out the field.

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a press release, blog post, or designed with visuals.