A Diamond League record of 21.09m by Jessica Schilder in the women’s shot put and a meeting record of 6.12m by Mondo Duplantis in the men’s pole vault were among the highlights of the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Shanghai/Keqiao on Saturday (16).
Schilder produced her stunning throw in the fifth round, smashing the Dutch record and the Diamond League record, adding 40cm to her previous best. It was the longest throw in the world since 2012 and handed victory to the reigning world champion and Diamond League champion ahead of Chase Jackson (20.46m) and Sarah Mitton (20.42m).
“It is such a huge thing, it is crazy,” said Schilder on joining the 21-metre club. “First competition is a big deal for me, it is always something I find quite hard. But we tried different things and eventually it worked.”
Duplantis, who is targeting his sixth straight Diamond League title this year, got theRoad to the Final off to a winning start, soaring over a meeting record of 6.12m to claim victory before taking three unsuccessful attempts at a world record of 6.32m. Kurtis Marschall was next best with 5.80m ahead of Thibaut Collet (5.70m).
“The 6.12m jump was good, I’m glad I was able to take the meeting record and thatwas the main goal,” said Duplantis. “The attempts at the world record were okay, but we will take some better ones next year.”
There was a thrilling duel in the men’s 300m hurdles, won by Alison dos Santos in 33.01 ahead of Karsten Warholm (33.05), while Matheus Lima took third in 33.75. “It was a great race, it was fun,” said Dos Santos. “This year I’ve focused on getting faster and developing more speed and I think I have shown I have more speed. This sets me up well for the rest of the season.”
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson took victory in a loaded women’s 200m, the former world champion clocking 22.07 (0.3m/s) ahead of Shaunae Miller-Uibo (22.26) and Anavia Battle (22.40), with Sha’Carri Richardson fourth in 22.42.
“It sets me up well for the rest of the season,” said Jackson. “It is a good feeling, it was my fastest opener since 2022 or 2023 so to be able to run this quickly in 2026, I’m happy.”
Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon claimed the 30th Diamond League win of her illustrious career as she powered to victory in the women’s 5000m, the three-time Olympic champion clocking a world lead of 14:24.14.
Kipyegon took over the lead after the pacer stepped aside at 3000m, reached in 8:33, and the three-time Olympic champion led all the way after that. She was forced todig deep in the home straight to repel runner-up Likina Amebaw (14:24.21), withSenayet Getachew third in 14:24.71.
“A positive season opener,” said Kipyegon. “My main goal was to see where we areplaced and where we can adjust and continue with the same spirit.”
In the men’s long jump, Mattia Furlani soared to an Italian record of 8.43m (0.4m/s) to start his outdoor season with a bang, the world champion taking the first DiamondLeague win of his career ahead of Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Saraboyukov (8.07m) andUzbekistan’s Anvar Anvarov (8.01m).
“It is a beautiful performance tonight because I’ve worked so hard for this moment,”said Furlani. “It is only the start.”
Masai Russell produced a crisp display to power to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles, the Olympic champion clocking 12.25 (0.4m/s) ahead of Devynne Charlton (12.25) and Tobi Amusan (12.41).
Germany’s Mohamed Abdilaahi produced a huge breakthrough to win the men’s 3000m in a meeting record and national record of 7:25.77, with Reynold Cheruiyot second in 7:26.11 and Andreas Almgren third in a Swedish record of 7:26.48.
“My final workout in the training camp with Andreas (Almgren), I was a little bit stronger than him and we all know how strong he is, so that gave me confidence and it showed my training is going well,” said Abdilaahi. “It is unbelievable.”
South Africa’s Gift Leotlela edged victory in the men’s 100m in 9.97 (0.6m/s) ahead of Ferdinand Omanyala (9.98) and Kenny Bednarek (9.98).
Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom came from behind to win the women’s 1500m in 3:55.56, a meeting record, ahead of compatriot Tsige Duguma (3:55.71) and Abbey Caldwell (3:56.12).
Nickisha Pryce edged a close contest in the women’s 400m, the Jamaican beating USA’s Aaliyah Butler to the line in 49.75 to Butler’s 49.78, with Cuba’s Roxana Gomez third in 50.24.
Mark English sliced through the field to claim victory in the men’s 800m, the Irishman setting a meeting record of 1:43.85 ahead of Kethobogile Haingura (1:43.89) and Brandon Miller (1:44.00).
“I felt great,” said English. “I wasn’t really thinking about the time, but I’m just delighted to get the win and to beat those guys in the sprint finish.”
The men’s 110m hurdles saw Jamal Britt edge victory in a close race with fellow US athlete and Diamond League champion Cordell Tinch, Britt clocking 13.07 (0.1m/s) to Tinch’s 13.10, with Japan’s Rachid Muratake third in 13.18.
“I was jet-lagged coming into the race, I was just making sure I was ready to run and be prepared,” said Britt. “It was not my best race overall but to equal my PR for the third time this season, I’m very excited.”
There was a thrilling duel in the women’s 3000m steeplechase between Peruth Chemutai and Faith Cherotich, with Chemutai taking victory in a photo finish, clocking a meeting record of 8:51.47 to Cherotich’s 8:51.48. Marwa Bouzayani set a Tunisian record in third of 8:58.09.
“I was so happy for this race because last year I was so disappointed with the World Championships,” said Chemutai. “It is special to win and it gives me confidence ahead of next week when I race again in Xiamen.”
Monae’ Nichols claimed victory in the women’s long jump, the US athlete jumping a best of 6.89m to beat Natalia Linares (6.78m) and Alexis Brown (6.75m).
Kristjan Ceh set a meeting record of 70.58m to take a convincing win in the men’s discus, with Matthew Denny second with 67.54m and Daniel Stahl third with 66.71m.
“It was a great competition,” said Ceh. “Three times over 70 – I am really pleased, especially with no wind.”