The Wanda Diamond League stop in Xiamen rarely disappoints, but 2026 may go down as the edition where the sport collectively experienced a jaw drop. World leads fell, meeting records evaporated, and an 18‑year‑old produced a javelin throw so outrageous it briefly felt like the stadium needed a larger infield.
Yan Ziyi steals the entire show: One throw, one record book rewritten
The performance of the night came early, courtesy of China’s newly‑minted 18‑year‑old Yan Ziyi, who opened her series with a javelin throw measured at 71.74 metres, a world U20 record, Asian record, Diamond League record, and the second‑best throw in the history of the event. Then she simply packed up and called it a day.
“Yan improved her own world under 20 record of 65.89m… Only Barbora Spotakova did better… when she set the world record with 72.28m.”
Yan’s post‑throw reflection was as composed as her technique: “I came to this competition with the goal for 65m… it really blew my mind to see that result… I don’t want this 71.74 to be just a one-time thing.”
Norway’s Sigrid Borge (65.00m) and Serbia’s Adriana Vilagos (63.64m) were left to fight for the mortal positions.
Masai Russell closes the night with the second‑fastest 100mH ever run
If Yan opened the evening with shock, Masai Russell closed it with inevitability. The Olympic champion blasted through the 100m hurdles in 12.14, a Diamond League record and the second‑fastest time in history, missing Tobi Amusan’s world record by just 0.02.
“I’ve been saying all year that I’m gonna break the world record… I keep getting closer and closer.”
Amusan followed in 12.28, with Devynne Charlton lowering her Bahamian record to 12.37.
Alison dos Santos takes another win over Warholm
The men’s 400m hurdles delivered another chapter in the dos Santos–Warholm rivalry. The Brazilian, smooth as ever over the final 120 metres, clocked a world‑leading 46.72, pulling away from Warholm’s 46.82.
Dos Santos summed it up simply, “I did not think I could go that fast… I am just proud.”
Caleb Dean (47.75) completed the podium.
Shericka Jackson back in familiar territory in the 200m
Shericka Jackson, easing into her season by her standards, uncorked a 21.87. This is a meeting record, and just 0.01 off the world lead. Shaunae Miller‑Uibo closed late for second in 22.04.
Jackson’s focus remains pragmatic: “Now focusing on working on fine details and learning proper technique under pressure.”
Collen Busang Kebinatshipi breaks 44 again
Botswana’s Collen Busang Kebinatshipi continues to look like the next great quarter‑miler. He ran 43.92, a world lead and meeting record, pulling away from Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga (44.04).
“I knew… I was gonna run a low 44 or a sub‑44,” he said — and he did.
Peruth Chemutai controls the steeple from the gun
Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai ran the eighth‑fastest steeplechase in history, winning in 8:51.06 after leading from the start. Winfred Yavi (8:51.54) and Faith Cherotich (8:52.53) kept it honest but never quite reeled her in.
Men’s 5000m: Addisu Yihune breaks 13 minutes with authority
Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune claimed his first Diamond League win in 12:57.32, a world lead and meeting record. Germany’s Mohamed Abdilahi continued his breakout season with 12:57.90.
“I’m happy… The next competition is in Europe.”
Women’s 1500m: Abbey Caldwell times it perfectly
Australia’s Abbey Caldwell surged past Birke Haylom in the final straight to win in 3:57.26, her first Diamond League victory. Haylom (3:57.79) and Emily McCay (3:58.13) rounded out a tightly‑bunched top three.
Men’s 100m: Omanyala keeps the sub‑10 streak alive
Ferdinand Omanyala dipped under 10 seconds for the fifth time this season, winning in 9.94. Gift Leotlela (10.00) and the American duo of Trayvon Bromell and Kenny Bednarek (10.03) followed.
Omanyala: “It is my second Diamond League win ever so I have to be excited.”
Men’s Long Jump: Tentoglou back to his usual business
Miltiadis Tentoglou hit 8.46m, equalling the world lead and taking the win. Tajay Gayle (8.32m) and Bozhidar Saraboyukov (8.29m) completed the podium.
Tentoglou: “This is the best I’ve jumped in the Diamond League… I’m back.”
Men’s shot put: Rajindra Campbell breaks the Jamaican record
Rajindra Campbell launched 22.34m, improving his national record and winning his first Diamond League competition. Jordan Geist (21.52m) and Ryan Crouser (21.41m) followed.
Campbell: “It shows that I’m in good shape… excited for the next couple of meets.”
Women’s Discus: Valarie Sion extends her streak
Valarie Sion collected her 12th consecutive Diamond League win, topping the field with 68.45m and three more throws beyond 67 metres.
Sion: “I love coming to Xiamen… I feel good walking away from this competition.”
Women’s high jump: Levchenko returns to the top
Ukraine’s Yuliya Levchenko cleared 1.99m to win her first Diamond League meet in six years. Iryna Gerashchenko, returning after maternity leave, cleared 1.97m for second.
A night that felt like a preview of the future
Between Yan Ziyi’s historic throw, Russell’s near‑record sprinting, and a slate of world leads across the board, Xiamen delivered the kind of early‑season chaos that suggests the rest of 2026 may be unusually fast and unusually fun.
