Rajindra Campbell smashes Jamaican shot put record as stars impress on Day 2 of Diamond League Final
Rajindra Campbell produced the performance of his life at the King Baudouin Stadium on Saturday, smashing the Jamaican shot put record with a monumental 23.08m to headline a spectacular second night of the Wanda Diamond League Final at the Memorial Van Damme in Brussels. The Olympic bronze medallist broke his national record twice during a world-class competition, while Klaudia Kazimierska set a world-leading Polish record in the women’s 1500m and Birhanu Balew delivered an Asian record in a remarkably fast men’s 5000m. World record-holders Alison dos Santos and Masai Russell added Diamond Trophies to their outstanding seasons, while Kenny Bednarek, Marileidy Paulino and teenage javelin star Yan Ziyi were among the other champions crowned on a memorable night in the Belgian capital.
Men’s shot put:
Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell won the men’s shot put after smashing his Jamaican record twice, opening with 22.62m before launching a huge 23.08m in the sixth round. It was Campbell’s first throw beyond the 23-metre barrier, and his series also included marks of 22.25m, 21.92m and 21.37m. The Jamaican had already demonstrated his superb late-season form the previous weekend, when he set his former national record of 22.59m in Brescia.
Four men surpassed 22 metres in a world-class competition. Zurich winner Jordan Geist produced 22.23m in the fourth round to finish second, ahead of two-time world champion Joe Kovacs (22.09m) and European champion Leonardo Fabbri (22.03m).
Rajindra Campbell: “There have been signs in practice of a throw like this being on the way, but to put it together today feels incredible. The 23-metre line is a badge of honour for every shot putter, so I’m extremely grateful to have crossed it. There are still a lot of things that I can improve on, but every time I come closer to perfection, the throw will be farther. That is an exciting challenge. A lot of shot putters are extremely strong: they bench press 500 pounds and squat 700 pounds. I’m nowhere close to that yet. The world record is definitely an ambition. If I can be more consistent next year, then the outlier will be at an even higher level. There are two more years left until the Olympics, which gives me time to become even better.”
Women’s 800 metres:
European champion Audrey Werro led from the front to win a thrilling women’s 800m in a meeting record of 1:54.75, narrowly holding off Femke Broeders-Bol, who finished in 1:54.81. Ethiopian under-20 record-holder Saida Tsehaye placed third in 1:57.57, followed by Switzerland’s Veronica Vancardo (1:58.66) and Sarah Billings (1:59.99).
Audrey Werro: “It was a very similar race to the previous ones this season. I went out to the front and had fun, which was something I explicitly wanted to do during the last Diamond League of the year. I wanted to show that I have it in me not only to win a title, but also to retain one. That personal challenge made this Diamond League Final my last big objective of the season. I felt Femke Broeders-Bol putting me under pressure throughout the race, and that absolutely pushed me not to slow down. Her presence is a big source of motivation for me to stay sharp going into next year.”
Men’s 400 metres hurdles:
Alison dos Santos claimed his third Diamond League title in the men’s 400m hurdles, setting a meeting record of 46.70 just one week after breaking the world record with 45.80 in Zurich. Trevor Bassitt finished second in 48.03, ahead of Matheus Lima (48.16) and German record-holder Emil Agyekum (48.18).
Alison dos Santos: “I’m happy to take the win here in Brussels, to take the trophy, and I’m also satisfied with the time that I ran. There is now one more competition left in Budapest, and I want to be the Ultimate Champion. Two years ago, I needed surgery, and I knew that I would come back stronger. I never doubted that because I have a great team with me, and we are all working towards the same goal. The fact that I took the world record in Zurich didn’t really come as a surprise. I knew that I was capable of running that time, but you cannot foresee exactly when you will run it. It depends on several circumstances, and in Zurich everything fell into place.”
Women’s 100 metres hurdles:
Olympic champion Masai Russell won her first Diamond League title in the women’s 100m hurdles, setting a meeting record of 12.20 one week after breaking the world record with 12.09 in Zurich. Russell has now broken the meeting record at every competition she has contested this year. Devynne Charlton finished second after improving her Bahamian record to 12.33, while Megan Simmonds placed third with a season’s best of 12.43. Tobi Amusan edged Nadine Visser for fourth place, with both athletes clocking 12.54.
Masai Russell: “Another win! I feel very blessed and thankful to keep collecting them, especially in my first appearance here in Brussels. The people were loud and electric! Titles are the most important thing: when you race to win, the time takes care of itself. Winning a Diamond League Final is just as important as taking those big championship wins. Within the track and field space, those are the days when you really have to show up. I’m super happy to have done exactly that.”
Men’s 200 metres:
Two-time Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek claimed the third Diamond League title of his career, equalling his own world lead of 19.62 set in Zurich the previous week. The US sprinter earned his second victory in Brussels, two years after defeating Letsile Tebogo at the same meeting.
South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile finished second in 19.89, breaking 20 seconds for the ninth time this season. Makanakaishe Charamba placed third in 19.99, with Olympic champion Tebogo fourth in 20.01.
Kenny Bednarek: “I’m definitely happy with this result. To get the win in these cold conditions and while dealing with a bit of sickness, I can’t ask for more. Next week, if I execute well, I can drop a massive PB. I didn’t know that I had a gap on the other guys or how fast I was going. I was just focused on myself. I tried to execute well, put them away at the beginning and not look back. This track is a bit unique. It’s fast, but the turns are a bit wider, so you run it slightly differently from other tracks. I took my time to take pictures with the young fans after my race. There are not many days when I get the chance to do this or when they get to see me perform. I try to brighten up their day because I know it means a lot to them. I try to give something back to the community.”
Women’s 1500 metres:
Klaudia Kazimierska earned her first Diamond League victory in sensational fashion, winning the women’s 1500m in 3:54.05 to set a meeting record, world lead and Polish record. Kenya’s Dorcus Ewoi finished second with a personal best of 3:54.72, edging Australia’s Jessica Hull by just 0.01. European champion Georgia Hunter Bell crossed the line in fourth in 3:56.40, followed by Nikki Hiltz (3:56.87), French record-holder Agathe Guillemot (3:57.12), Abbey Caldwell (3:57.19) and Emily Mackay (3:57.98).
Klaudia Kazimierska: “I was completely focused on competing and ‘being Klaudia’ throughout the race. I hadn’t won anything this year, and I wanted to finally win again. The result surprised me just as much as it did everyone else. I worked on a lot of small pieces, and they seem to have clicked together wonderfully. This is the fruit of consistent work, and I think the times will keep coming as I continue chasing wins and titles. This race came at exactly the right time for me to find a second peak after the European Championships. I had the Diamond League Final, the World Ultimate Championship and Athlos London all lined up, so it wasn’t hard for me to find focus again.”
Men’s 5000 metres:
Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew won the men’s 5000m in a world-leading Asian record of 12:45.70. Burundi’s Egide Ntakaturimana finished second, improving his national record to 12:46.73 in a high-quality race in which the first six athletes broke 12:50. Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi took third with a personal best of 12:47.29, followed by Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary (12:47.78), Graham Blanks (12:47.98) and Nico Young (12:48.12). Jacob Krop placed seventh with a season’s best of 12:51.23, ahead of Dominic Lobalu (12:56.07) and Grant Fisher (12:59.10).
Birhanu Balew: “I’m so happy with the victory. The conditions were perfect for a 5000m: good weather and not too many people in the race, so there was not too much pushing. I was well aware of the gap I had in the home straight, so I knew I would win the trophy. I’m not surprised by my PB and Asian record. I had some good weeks of training in my legs, and I have a good coach. My season isn’t over yet. I still have the Asian Championships in Tokyo later this month.”
Women’s pole vault:
Hana Moll improved her personal best by one centimetre to 4.91m, clearing the winning height on her third attempt. The US pole vaulter added one centimetre to the mark she had set at Zurich Main Railway Station and cleared every previous height at the first attempt.
Angelica Moser maintained a clean card through 4.55m, 4.70m and 4.80m before making one unsuccessful attempt at 4.86m and two at 4.91m. Tina Šutej finished third with 4.70m, beating Katie Moon on countback.
Hana Moll: “I feel great. It took a lot of work to get here and then perfect execution on the day to take home the trophy. I have a lot of great people around me who believe in me, and I have made nice steps towards joining them in that belief. My first two Diamond League wins definitely helped me avoid feeling overwhelmed going into this Final. Any bar over 4.90m is incredible, but it’s pretty special to now have the same PB as my sister Amanda.”
Women’s 400 metres:
Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino won the women’s 400m in a meeting record of 48.64, claiming her fourth Diamond League title after previous triumphs in Zurich in 2022, Eugene in 2023 and Brussels in 2024. Norway’s Henriette Jæger finished second in 49.20, ahead of Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce (49.36) and Aaliyah Butler (49.98). World indoor champion Lurdes Gloria Manuel of Czechia placed fifth in 50.18.
Marileidy Paulino: “It’s the fourth time that I have won the Diamond League, and that is always special. I worked really hard and was hoping to get under 48 seconds again this season, as I did in Tokyo last year. I’ve been very consistent, and I haven’t lost a competition this year. Today, I’m happy with my time of 48.64 because the weather was a little too chilly for me.”
Women’s 100 metres:
Tina Clayton won the women’s 100m in 10.92, completing a Jamaican sprint double one day after Oblique Seville’s victory in the men’s 100m. European champion Amy Hunt finished second in 11.06, just ahead of Sha’Carri Richardson (11.07). Luxembourg’s Patrizia van der Weken and Jamaica’s Jnielle Smith both clocked 11.08.
Tina Clayton: “I guess it’s kind of a perfect night because winning the Diamond League Final is something special. We all want to go home with the trophy, and to be honest, there were a lot of candidates for the title. Tonight, I was the most determined athlete, and that made the difference. I’m satisfied with the time, especially because it was a little too cold for sprinting. I would like to dedicate this victory to my coach Stephen Francis, who passed away earlier this year. It’s very emotional, but I have my family and the team around me giving me all the support I need.”
Men’s javelin throw:
Rumesh Pathirage crowned a successful season by winning his first Diamond League title with a third-round throw of 89.04m. He became the first Sri Lankan athlete to win a Diamond Trophy. Poland’s David Wegner improved his personal best to 87.47m to finish second, while Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago—the 2012 Olympic champion and 2025 world champion—placed third with a season’s best of 83.39m.
Rumesh Pathirage: “I’m the first Sri Lankan ever to win the Diamond League Final, and that makes me extremely proud. I was really looking forward to competing in the Diamond League, and I’m very happy to have been rewarded with a win in the Final. I know that I could do much better than 89.04m, but the conditions were difficult today. I’m used to much higher temperatures. I’ll try to attack and take over the meeting record in the next few years.”
Women’s javelin throw:
Chinese 18-year-old star Yan Ziyi moved into the lead with a fourth-round throw of 64.95m before extending her advantage with a meeting record of 68.42m in the fifth round. She became the second Chinese athlete to win a Diamond Trophy during the weekend after compatriot Feng Bin’s discus victory on Friday. Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi completed an Asian one-two by finishing second with 65.44m, ahead of Colombia’s Flor Ruíz Hurtado (64.07m).
Yan Ziyi: “I’m so happy because this is my first victory at the highest level in athletics. This is a very important moment in my young career. At the beginning of the competition, I was a little nervous, but my coach told me to relax and trust my abilities, and that is what I did. I’m the youngest winner in Diamond League Final history, and this year I threw the third-best result ever in the javelin. For me, this means that my career is only beginning and that 71.74m is just the starting point. I will aim to do better and better throughout my senior career. I noticed that there were a lot of Chinese fans in the stadium, and that meant a lot to me. I’m very proud to represent China on the highest stage in the world, and I think it’s so special that people come to the stadium to see me. I really liked this competition—the stadium, the audience and the weather. Brussels was such a great experience.”
Men’s triple jump:
European champion Andy Díaz Hernández set a meeting record of 17.74m in the opening round to win his fourth consecutive Diamond League title. Three-time Diamond League champion Pedro Pichardo leapt 17.51m in the sixth round to finish second, while Jamaica’s Jordan Scott placed third with 17.18m.
Andy Díaz Hernández: “I jumped 17.74m on my first attempt, but I wasn’t satisfied with that. My goal was to beat Jonathan Edwards’ world record. I’m in exceptional shape, and I will keep working hard because I know that I can beat the record. Tonight, however, it was not meant to be. Of course, I’m really happy with my fourth Diamond Trophy. In Pichardo, I have a very strong rival who is also capable of big performances, so it’s really nice to beat him in the Final, especially because today was my first time competing in Brussels. I’m really happy about that.”
Women’s high jump:
Eleanor Patterson cleared 2.01m on her third attempt to win her first Diamond League title. The Australian then made three unsuccessful attempts at her personal best of 2.03m. Australia claimed the Diamond Trophy in the event for the second consecutive year after Nicola Olyslagers won in Zurich in 2025. Yaroslava Mahuchikh cleared 1.99m on her second attempt to finish runner-up, while Olyslagers placed third with 1.95m after beating Angelina Topić on countback.
Eleanor Patterson: “It’s amazing. I had only won a Diamond League meeting once before, in 2023, so to win the Final is insane. I knew I was in good shape after jumping 2.02m a few days ago. It was chilly, but I just went out to have fun, and I’m super happy with how today turned out. The level in the high jump is incredible with Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Nicola Olyslagers. It’s a privilege to compete with them, but today I stayed clinical and stuck to my own process, which really paid off. Changing coaches after the Paris Olympics was a bold move, but it was the best decision of my life. When you’re a happy athlete, you produce wonderful things, and I’m over the moon to reward my team’s hard work.”
Women’s long jump:
USA’s Monae’ Nichols leapt 6.91m in the third round to win her first Diamond League title in the women’s long jump. Two-time champion Larissa Iapichino produced 6.86m on her final attempt, but it was not enough to secure a third Diamond Trophy. Claire Bryant finished third with 6.83m, ahead of NCAA champion Alyssa Jones (6.80m).
Monae’ Nichols: “I’m super happy with the result. A 6.90m jump in these cold conditions is amazing. I had a big chip on my shoulder after finishing last here last year, so to come out on top now is surreal. I’m very proud of myself, my coach and my family. I usually have a small trophy collection, but I’ll need a new shelf for this one. I might even add some plants around it to decorate. I love jumping in Europe because the crowd gives so much love to the field events. Next up is the Ultimate Championship and then Athlos in London. I definitely have a seven-metre jump in me. My last attempt today was a foul, but it went well over seven metres. I need to stop fouling on my last attempt and adjust my approach, but that big jump is definitely coming.”
Men’s 3000 metres steeplechase:
Twenty-year-old Ethiopian rising star Gemechu Godena won his second Diamond League race of the season in 8:08.67, following his earlier victory in Chorzów. Godena became the first Ethiopian athlete to win the Diamond League title in the men’s 3000m steeplechase since Getnet Wale in 2019. Soufiane El Bakkali finished second in 8:10.39, ahead of 2023 Diamond League champion Simon Koech (8:11.15). Luxembourg’s Ruben Querinjean was the leading European, placing fourth in 8:11.97.
Gemechu Godena: “I am very grateful to the organisers and the crowd for creating such a nice environment in which to perform. I’m delighted to win my second Diamond League race and now the Final, proving that I have a place among the best in the world.”
Women’s 100 metres invitational race:
Jamaica’s Sabrina Dockery won the non-Diamond League women’s 100m invitational race in 11.17, ahead of Australia’s Torrie Lewis (11.24) and Spain’s Jaël Bestué (11.28).
Men’s 100 metres invitational race:
Rasheed Abdul Saminu won a close non-Diamond League men’s 100m invitational race in 10.04, edging Jamaica’s Kadrian Goldson (10.05). Max Thomas finished third in 10.23.
