National record holder Ralford Mullings proved unstoppable yet again as he powered to victory in the men’s discus at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme Wanda Diamond League in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday.
Competing in his first-ever Diamond League meet—and his first competition in Europe—the 23-year-old delivered a commanding throw of 69.66 meters to secure Jamaica’s lone Diamond League win of the day.
The University of Oklahoma standout entered the meet riding the momentum of his historic 72.01-meter national record set just a week ago in Ramona, Oklahoma. Though he fell short of surpassing 70 meters in Brussels, Mullings showed remarkable composure in besting a world-class field.
World record holder Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania finished second at 68.82m, while Slovenia’s Kristjan Čeh claimed third with 67.13m. Olympic champion Roje Stona of Jamaica managed 65.67m for seventh.
Mullings savors breakthrough moment
An elated Mullings called the experience unforgettable: “It’s my first-ever Diamond League victory. I didn’t throw over 70 meters, but it is always good to be on the podium. Whatever it takes to be there, I am satisfied with that. This was my first competition in Europe and it was interesting—something you have to get used to with the travel and acclimatisation.”
His triumph sets the stage for a thrilling finale next week in Zurich, Switzerland, where the world’s elite will clash in the Diamond League grand final.
Watson flashes championship readiness
Outside the Diamond League program, Antonio Watson, Jamaica’s reigning world 400m champion, delivered another moment of national pride. In the men’s 400m Invitational, Watson stormed to a season’s best 44.89 seconds to claim victory, outpacing Belgium’s Dylan Borlée, who ran a personal best 44.9 seconds. Another Belgian, Jonathan Dacoor, finished third in 45.39 seconds.
The performance was Watson’s final tune-up before the World Athletics Championships in Japan.
“It was a great race. The guys got out quickly, just like we said before the start. I knew what I had to do and I’m glad I got in another race,” Watson said, exuding confidence for the battles ahead.
Beckford lifts with strong high jump showing
In a challenging day overall for Jamaicans, Romaine Beckford stood tall with a third-place finish in the high jump, clearing 2.22m. Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk won with 2.25m, narrowly edging Belgium’s Carmoy Thomas on countback.
Legendary sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce continued to face difficulties on the European circuit. A sluggish start left her unable to recover in the women’s 100m, where she placed fourth in 11.17 seconds.
World No. 1 Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the USA maintained her unbeaten run, clocking 10.76 seconds. Defending world champion Sha’Carri Richardson was second in 11.08 seconds, while Britain’s Daryll Neita snatched third in 11.15 seconds.
Mixed fortunes for Jamaican women in field and track
- Andrenette Knight took fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles with 54.50 seconds. The USA’s Anna Cockrell claimed victory in 53.66 seconds, followed by Gianna Woodruff of Panama (PB 53.89) and Belgium’s Naomi Van Den Broeck (NR 54.12).
- In the women’s triple jump, Olympic silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts placed fourth with 14.29m, while Ackelia Smith finished seventh at 13.97m. Cuba dominated, with Leyanis Pérez Hernández winning at 14.78m and Davisleydi Velazco setting a personal best of 14.72m.
- Danniel Thomas-Dodd was fifth in the shot put at 18.92m. The USA’s Chase Jackson soared to 20.90m for the win, with Canada’s Sarah Mitton second at 19.89m.
While the Brussels meet proved demanding for most of the Jamaican contingent, Ralford Mullings’ historic victory and Antonio Watson’s season-best ensured the island still left its mark on one of track and field’s most prestigious stages. With the Diamond League finale and the World Championships looming, both athletes have signaled they are primed for the battles ahead.
