The second stop of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League tour delivered nothing short of a spectacle in Keqiao, near Shanghai, as the world’s finest athletes clashed under balmy skies on Saturday.
With personal bests, meeting records, and photo finishes punctuating the event, Jamaican athletes delivered bold performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats—even if the top podium spot narrowly eluded them.
Danielle Williams, fresh off a commanding win in Xiamen, put down another world-class run in the women’s 100m hurdles. Clocking 12.55 seconds, the reigning world champion was edged into second place by American Grace Stark, who blazed to a meet record and world-leading 12.42 seconds.
“I improve it step by step,” Stark said of her form—elevating from second in Xiamen to first in Keqiao. South Africa’s Marione Fourie rounded out the podium with 12.62 seconds, equaling her season best.
Thompson and Simbine’s showdown: A photo-finish thriller
One of the night’s most captivating races came in the men’s 100m dash, where Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson launched his season with a powerful 9.99 seconds. It wasn’t quite enough, however, as South Africa’s Akani Simbine surged in the final strides to snatch victory by one-hundredth of a second—9.98 to Thompson’s 9.99—in a breathless photo finish.
Simbine, now two-for-two in the 2025 Diamond League, admitted the race was far from perfect: “It is just frustrating that I did not get it right today,” he said, citing a shaky start. “But I was at least able to make up for that mistake and get the win.”
Thompson’s MVP Track Club teammate Rohan Watson finished sixth in a season’s best 10.18 seconds.
Scott soars, Pinnock and Gayle battle in the sand
In the men’s triple jump, Jordan Scott mounted a third-round leap of 17.00m (0.3m/s) to claim second place behind Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo, who edged him with 17.03m (0.1m/s). China’s Yaming Zhu took third with 16.92m (0.3m/s), delighting the home crowd.
Jamaica’s Wayne Pinnock (8.10m) and Tajay Gayle (8.05m) both turned in strong performances in the long jump, finishing third and fifth respectively, as China’s Yuhao Shi soared to victory with a meeting-best 8.21m.
Broadbell finds his form, Tinch makes history
Olympic medalist Rasheed Broadbell signaled his growing form in the men’s 110m hurdles, clocking a season-best 13.24 seconds for third. Hansle Parchment (13.32) and Orlando Bennett (13.49) followed in sixth and eighth.
But the story of the hurdles belonged to American Cordell Tinch, who delivered a jaw-dropping 12.87 seconds—a personal best, meet record, and the fastest time in the world this year. It also marked the fourth-fastest 110m hurdles time in history.
“I didn’t hit all the hurdles very good,” Broadbell reflected, “but it also shows that there’s more to do.”
Goule-Toppin’s grit, Thomas-Dodd’s effort
In the women’s 800m, Natoya Goule-Toppin continued her resurgence, clocking a season’s best 1:58.43 minutes for fourth. Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma delivered a masterclass, storming to a national and meet record 1:56.64 minutes—now the world lead.
Danniel Thomas-Dodd placed ninth in the women’s shot put with a mark of 18.21m. The event was won by American Chase Jackson, whose throw of 20.54m shattered the 2015 meet record.
Duplantis and Mahuchikh extend reign, Warholm dominates
Beyond the Jamaican camp, the global elite flexed their muscle. Armand “Mondo” Duplantis cleared 6.11m in the men’s pole vault, setting a meeting record, though his attempt at a world record 6.28m fell short.
“The jump did not feel that great and the run did not feel that great either,” said Duplantis, who is now sharpening his focus for the World Championships in Tokyo. “To have a good attempt while not feeling my best is actually a really good thing.”
Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh also defended her Diamond League dominance by clearing 2.00m on her first attempt in the women’s high jump. “I like my performance tonight,” she shared. “Now I jumped two metres at the first attempt.”
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Norway’s Karsten Warholm put up a commanding 47.28 seconds—this year’s fastest—despite what he called a “messy” race. “Still, I managed to get a very decent time… but it also shows that there’s more to do.”
American Quincy Hall, returning from injury, finished eighth in the flat 400m, while compatriot Christopher Bailey took top honors in 44.17 seconds.
