Germany’s exceptional runner Mohamed Abdilaahi once again showed a top performance at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, China, taking second place in the 5000 m.
A week after his victory at the Diamond League opener in Shanghai, the 27-year-old from Mönchengladbach narrowly missed his second success in a row with the German 3000 m record after a thrilling race in 12:57.90 minutes.
Like winner Addisu Yihune from Ethiopia (12:57.32), Abdilaahi remained below Parker Woolfe’s (USA/12:59.09) previous world best for the year on Saturday. Sweden’s European record holder Andreas Almgren got out early in Xiamen.
After around 2000 m, Abdilaahi, who had broken the German records over 10 km on the road as well as over 3000 and 10,000 m in his previous three starts of the season, took command and started the race from the front.
Eventually, however, he had to slow down because no one wanted to share the management work with him. Another record run was not possible for the long-distance athlete from Cologne Athletics. However, he kept in touch with the leaders on the final lap, went into the overtaking lane shortly before the finish and ultimately only had to admit defeat to Yihune. He stayed a good four seconds above his own record from the previous year (12:53.63).
Craft sixth – Gürth and Onnen not at the front
Three-time European Championship bronze medalist Shanice Craft came sixth in the discus with two-time Olympic champion Valarie Sion (USA/68.35) winning with 63.96 m.
Olivia Gürth, who had dropped out the previous week, fought her way to the finish this time over the 3000 m obstacle. In the second Diamond League victory of Tokyo Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai from Uganda, who achieved a world best time of the year and a meeting record in 8:51.06 minutes, the steeplechaser from Silvesterlauf Trier landed in 15th place in 9:35.82 minutes. Olympic champion Winfred Yavi (Bahrain/ 8:51.54) was ahead of world champion Faith Cherotich (Kenya/8:52.53) Second.
High jumper Imke Onnen also had nothing to do with the top places. At her start to the outdoor season, the 31-year-old from Cologne Athletics had to make do with jumping 1.88 m and finishing ninth. The Ukrainian Yulia Lewtschenko won with 1.99 m.
Chinese Javelin throwing youngster Yan Ziyi is astonishing
In the women’s javelin throw, China’s Yan Ziyi achieved something historic at her home game: with 71.74 m in her first attempt, she not only celebrated victory, but also jumped to second place on the “all-time” best list and missed Czech Barbora Spotakova’s world record by just 54 centimeters. The 18-year-old increased her personal best by almost six meters – almost unbelievable. After her first throw, the 2024 U20 world champion called it a day in Xiamen.
Russell in the hurdles Second fastest any times
The performance of Olympic champion Masai Russell in the hurdle sprint was also impressive – especially at the beginning of the season. The American conjured up the second-best time in history in 12.14 seconds and missed the world record of Nigerian Tobi Amusan, who came second in 12.28, by just two hundredths.
In a high-class race over 400 m hurdles, former world champion Alison dos Santos (Brazil) won in the world’s best time of 46.72 seconds ahead of Norway’s world record holder Karsten Warholm (46.84). The long jumpers also shone: Two-time Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou (Greece) triumphed with the longest jump of the year at 8.46 m ahead of Tajay Gayle (Jamaica/8.32) and Boschidar Saraboyukov (Bulgaria/8.29).
Jamal Britt (USA) demonstrated his strong form in the 110 meter hurdles and celebrated his second Diamond League triumph in a row in 13.07 seconds. As in the previous week, Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) also collected full points in the 200 m (21.87 seconds).
Crouser still looking for form
Shot put world record holder Ryan Crouser (USA) was still far from his best in his first competition of the season and took third place with 21.41 m in Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell’s victory with a national record (22.34). The three-time Olympic champion, whose record is 23.56, only competed at the World Championships in Tokyo in 2025 and won his third title there.