Preview: Tebogo, Wanyonyi, Chebet Lead Star-Studded Field at Rabat Diamond League

Friday, 23 May 2025

The 2025 Wanda Diamond League returns to Rabat for its fourth stop, hosting a glittering lineup of Olympic gold medallists, world record holders, and emerging stars at the Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athletisme. Scheduled for Sunday, May 25 at the Moulay Abdallah Stadium, the meet promises fireworks across sprint, middle-distance, field, and hurdle events. From Letsile Tebogo doubling in the 100m and 200m to Femke Bol kicking off her hurdles season and Soufiane El Bakkali defending his home turf, the competition in Rabat will serve as a key benchmark ahead of the World Championships later this year.

Men’s 200 Metres:

Letsile Tebogo returns to double in the 100m and 200m after opening his season in Doha with a 20.10 victory. The Olympic champion made history in Paris with a 19.46 African record—the fifth-fastest time in history. He’ll renew his rivalry with Courtney Lindsey (20.11 in Doha) and face a stacked field that includes Erriyon Knighton, two-time world medallist (19.80/19.75), and Wayde Van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder. All nine entrants boast sub-20 PBs, including Benjamin Richardson (19.99) and France’s Ryan Zeze (19.90).

Men’s 100 Metres:

Akani Simbine leads the field in red-hot form, with a world-leading 9.90 from Gaborone and recent Diamond League wins in Xiamen (9.99) and Keqiao (9.98). Tebogo will contest his third DL 100m of the season after a 10.03 SB. Fred Kerley, the 2022 world champion, returns after a 9.98 SB in Azusa. Also lining up: African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, and Brandon Hicklin (9.93 in Clermont).

Men’s 800 Metres:

Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Olympic gold medallist and the second-fastest man in history (1:41.11), is gunning for his third Rabat win. He’ll clash with Doha winner Tshepiso Maselela (1:43.11), Kethobogile Haingura (1:43.75), and Max Burgin, who placed eighth in the Paris Olympic final (1:43.84).

Women’s 3000 Metres:

Beatrice Chebet, double Olympic champion and 10,000m world record holder (28:54.14), takes on rival Nadia Battocletti, Olympic silver medallist and recent European 10K champion. Also in the mix: Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa and Ejgayehu Taye, and Australia’s Georgia Griffith, fourth in the 1500m at the Nanjing World Indoors.

Women’s 400 Metres Hurdles:

Femke Bol launches her 2025 Diamond League season aiming for a fifth straight title. The Dutch star earned Olympic medals in three relays and two individual events last year. She’ll meet Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton and Shiann Salmon, Italy’s Ayomide Folorunso, and 2015 world bronze medallist Cassandra Tate.

Women’s 100 Metres:

Shericka Jackson opens her 100m campaign after a 22.79 200m in Xiamen. The Jamaican star, a three-time Diamond League champ, faces NCAA standout Cambrea Sturgis, Jacious Sears (7.02 60m), and New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs, fourth in Glasgow.

Men’s 3000 Metres Steeplechase:

Soufiane El Bakkali seeks a fourth straight Rabat win. The Olympic and world champion will battle Samuel Firewu (WL 8:05.61), Abrham Sime (8:02.36 SB), and Olympic finalists Mohamed Jhinaoui and Ahmed Jaziri.

Men’s Shot Put:

Olympic silver medallist Joe Kovacs headlines the field alongside Tom Walsh, fresh off his third world indoor title. Rajindra Campbell, Payton Otterdahl (22.03), and Leonardo Fabbri (22.98 NR in 2023) join a loaded lineup that also includes NCAA champ Jordan Geist and European medallist Wictor Peterson.

Women’s 800 Metres:

Prudence Sekgodiso returns to the site of her Diamond League breakthrough. The world indoor champion (1:58.40) takes on world-leader Tsige Duguma (1:56.84), Shafiqua Maloney, Natoya Goule Toppin, and Swiss star Audrey Werro.

Women’s Pole Vault:

Molly Caudery, world indoor champion, goes for her second straight DL win. She’ll meet Olympic champion Katie Moon, France’s Marie-Julie Bonnin, European champ Angelica Moser, and Olympic medallist Alysha Newman (4.85m).

Men’s 400 Metres:

Olympic champ Quincy Hall faces Xiamen winner Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, and Jacory Patterson (WL 43.98). Bryce Deadmon (44.30), Johnnie Blockburger, and Zakhiti Nene also feature.

Men’s High Jump:

Hamish Kerr, Olympic and world indoor gold medallist, rematches Shelby McEwen after the American edged him in Doha. Ju’Vaughn Harrison, Raymond Richards, and rising star Matteo Sioli are contenders.

Women’s Javelin Throw:

Elina Tzengko eyes a third straight DL win after throwing 64.90m in Keqiao. Adriana Vilagos (WL 67.22), Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ane Van Dyk, and Flor Ruiz Hurtado (65.47) are strong threats.

Men’s 1500 Metres:

Brian Komen (3:28.80 PB) leads a deep field featuring Reynold Cheruiyot, Azzedine Habz, and Tshepo Tsithe (3:32.03).

Women’s 100 Metres Hurdles (non-DL):

Ditaji Kambundji opens her outdoor campaign after winning European Indoor gold (7.67). She meets Nadine Visser and Pia Skryszowska, while world record holder Tobi Amusan looks to rebound from a string of fourth-place finishes.

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