World Leads, Records, and Showdowns: Paris Diamond League Delivers Thrilling Night at Charléty
The 2025 Paris Diamond League lit up the Charléty Stadium on Friday night, June 20, with a series of electrifying performances in front of a sell-out crowd of 19,000. Headlining the action were two world-leading times by Kenya’s Faith Cherotich in the women’s 3000m steeplechase and France’s Azzedine Habz in the men’s 1500m. Records tumbled throughout the evening: from a world U20 record to multiple national and meeting records, the Paris stop of the Wanda Diamond League proved to be one of the season's most memorable nights.
Azeddine Habz Breaks French 1500m Record
France’s Azzedine Habz stormed to victory with a sensational 3:27.49, breaking both the French national record and Hicham El Guerrouj’s 2001 meeting record of 3:28.81. Behind him, Kenya’s Phanuel Koech Kipkoech shattered the world U20 record with 3:27.72. Great Britain’s George Mills clocked a personal best of 3:28.86, marking his first sub-3:30 performance just eight days after breaking Mo Farah’s national 5000m record in Oslo. Festus Lagat (3:29.03) and Stefan Nillessen (3:29.23 – Dutch record) followed. National records were also set by Ruben Verheyden of Belgium (3:30.99) and Tshepo Tshite of South Africa (3:31.35). Thirteen of the 14 finishers recorded personal bests.
Habz: “It’s incredible. I came with the goal of breaking the French record, maybe running 3:28. But with this crowd, I felt like I had wings.”
Women’s 3000 Metres Steeplechase
Faith Cherotich continued her dominance, winning her third Diamond League race of the season in 8:53.37 – a personal best, world lead, and sixth-fastest time in history. She edged Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai (8:54.41) and Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew (9:01.22).
Cherotich: “The race was competitive and I wanted a world lead. After 9:00 in Oslo, I knew I could go faster. My big goal is the World Championships in Tokyo.”
Women’s 400 Metres
Marileidy Paulino extended her Paris winning streak to four, setting a meeting record of 48.81. She narrowly held off Salwa Eid Naser (48.85). Chile’s Martina Weil clocked a national record of 49.83, her first sub-50 performance. Americans Lynna Irby-Jackson (49.87) and Amber Anning (49.96) also went sub-50.
Paulino: “I wasn’t feeling well, but I focused on finishing strong. Salwa and I are pushing the event toward that elusive sub-48.”
Women’s 100 Metres Hurdles
Grace Stark was in a class of her own, clocking 12.21 to set a meeting record and personal best, moving her to equal fifth all-time. World record holder Tobi Amusan (12.24) and Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent (12.30 SB) completed the podium.
Stark: “I wanted to break 12.3 so badly. I just stayed composed. Having my coach here made this win even more special.”
Men’s 5000 Metres
Yomif Kejelcha led from the front and held off a late surge from Birhanu Balew to win in 12:47.84. Balew’s 12:48.67 set a new Asian record. Graham Blanks (12:49.51) and Jimmy Gressier (12:51.59 – French record) also starred. Ten athletes broke the 13-minute barrier.
Kejelcha: “I started too fast and faded, but this is part of the buildup for Tokyo. I need to work more on my finish.”
Men’s 400 Metres Hurdles
Raj Benjamin delivered a masterclass, winning in 46.93 and shaving 0.05 off the previous meeting record. Abderrahman Samba (47.09 SB) was second, with Trevor Bassitt third (48.14).
Benjamin: “It was tough. I felt the fatigue but happy to get the win and the record. This sets me up for Tokyo.”
Men’s 110 Metres Hurdles
Trey Cunningham claimed his first Diamond League win in 13.00. Dylan Beard (13.02 PB) and Jason Joseph (13.07, equalling the Swiss record) rounded out the podium. Grant Holloway was fifth in 13.11.
Cunningham: “I made a few mistakes, but I’m thrilled to win after being sick. Paris is a great place to hurdle.”
Men’s 800 Metres
Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui surged to a PB of 1:42.73 to take the win over a stacked field. Josh Hoey (1:43.00), Bryce Hoppel (1:43.11), Max Burgin (1:43.61), Gabriel Tual (1:43.84), and Mark English (1:43.98) all followed closely.
Attaoui: “It was brutal, but I stuck to the plan. The fast first lap made it a test of endurance.”
Women’s 1500 Metres
Nelly Chepchirchir clocked a season’s best of 3:57.02 for her second Diamond League win of the year. Sarah Healy (3:57.15 PB) and Birke Haylom (3:57.50) followed in a race where 11 women broke 4 minutes.
Women’s High Jump
Nicola Olyslagers cleared 2.00m to win her third Paris title. Yaroslava Mahuchikh (1.97m) and Eleanor Patterson also featured.
Olyslagers: “My training diary helps me break down every jump. The 2.00m felt perfect today. Tokyo is the big target.”
Men’s Javelin Throw
Neeraj Chopra threw 88.16m to claim his first Diamond League win of the season. Julian Weber (87.88m) and Luiz Mauricio da Silva (86.62m – South American record) completed the podium.
Women’s Discus Throw
Valarie Allman clinched her fourth Diamond League victory of the year with a final-round throw of 67.56m. Jorinde Van Klinken (66.42m) and Yaime Pérez (65.03m) battled for the remaining spots.
Women’s Pole Vault
Katie Moon cleared 4.73m to take the win on countback over Sandi Morris. Emily Grove (4.63m) finished third.
Moon: “I wasn’t feeling 100%, but wins like this matter. I’m pacing myself for the long season.”
Women’s 200 Metres
Anavia Battle continued her brilliant season with a 22.27 victory, her fourth Diamond League win of the year. Amy Hunt (22.45 PB) and McKenzie Long (22.49 PB) completed the podium.
Men’s Triple Jump
Jordan Scott of Jamaica jumped 17.27m in the final round to snatch victory from Fabrice Zango (17.21m). France’s Thomas Gogois matched Scott’s opening 17.11m.
Men’s 3000 Metres Steeplechase
World record holder Lamecha Girma made a triumphant return to Paris with a dominant 8:07.01 victory. Morocco’s Salaheddine Ben Yazide (8:11.68) and Getnet Wale (8:12.58) followed.
Girma: “After the Olympic fall, this was emotional. The crowd lifted me. I’m ready to focus on Tokyo now.”
