Xiamen, China — China’s Zhang Mingkun thrilled the home crowd by clinching the men’s long jump title at the World Athletics Diamond League in Xiamen on Saturday. After a shaky start, Zhang found his form on his fifth attempt, soaring 8.18 meters to secure the gold.
“It was my first time competing in such a high-level event in Xiamen,” Zhang said. “I didn’t jump well initially, but luckily I found my rhythm when it mattered.”
In the men’s triple jump, Olympic silver medalist Zhu Yaming settled for silver with a mark of 17.03 meters. Jamaica’s Jordan Scott claimed the top spot with a personal best of 17.27 meters.
Su Lingdan added to China’s medal tally with a bronze in the women’s javelin, throwing 61.62 meters. Greece’s Elina Tzengko set an event record with a 64.75-meter effort to take gold.
Veteran shot putter Gong Lijiao earned bronze in the women’s shot put with a season-best toss of 19.62 meters. The Netherlands’ Jessica Schilder dominated the event with a 20.47-meter throw. “I’m pretty satisfied with my result, although I know I could have done better to break 20 meters,” Gong commented. “Consistency is key to avoiding injuries, which is my biggest challenge at 36 years old.”
Liu Junxi achieved a personal best of 13.24 seconds to seize third place in the men’s 110m hurdles. The USA’s Tinch Cordell took gold with a world-leading time of 13.06 seconds.
The spotlight also shone on 16-year-old Chen Yujie, who set a new Asian youth record in the women’s 200m with a time of 22.99 seconds in her Diamond League debut.
South African sprinter Akani Simbine won the men’s 100m, clocking 9.99 seconds. China’s Xie Zhenye finished eighth, posting a season-best 10.23 seconds.
Norway’s Karsten Warholm set a world best in the newly introduced men’s 300m hurdles, finishing in 33.05 seconds. “It was a very good race with a great atmosphere,” said Warholm. “I just tried to run as fast as possible.”
In men’s pole vault, Sweden’s Armand Duplantis defended his title, clearing 5.92 meters despite challenging wind conditions. “It was not the easiest day,” Duplantis admitted. “We had a little bit of trouble with the wind, but overall it was great fun.”
The women’s high jump saw Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh claim gold, being the only competitor to clear 1.97 meters. Australia’s Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers both cleared 1.94 meters to share the remaining podium spots.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon dazzled in the women’s 1,000m, finishing in 2:29.32 — just 0.23 seconds shy of the world record. “I wanted to do my personal best, and it was very close to the world record,” Kipyegon said. “It was a very good start to my season.”
