Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, alongside an illustrious lineup of track and field stars, is set to headline the highly anticipated Wanda Diamond League meeting in Xiamen on 20th April.
With a plethora of Olympic gold medalists and world champions gracing the Egret Stadium, fans can expect an electrifying display of athletic prowess as the season kicks off in spectacular fashion.
Kipyegon, a dominant force in the 1500m discipline, enters the arena undefeated since 2021. However, she faces a formidable challenge in Xiamen, with ten competitors boasting sub-four-minute times.
Among them is Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, the reigning world 10,000m champion who shattered Kipyegon’s world 5000m record last year. Also in contention is Diribe Welteji, who clinched victory over Kipyegon in the world road mile championship, alongside world indoor 1500m champion Freweyni Hailu.
On the men’s side, pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis spearheads a field of elite athletes, including four vaulters who have cleared the six-meter mark.
The Swedish prodigy, fresh from securing his second world indoor title, faces stiff competition from US vaulters Christopher Nilsen, Sam Kendricks, and KC Lightfoot.
The star-studded lineup doesn’t end there, with reigning Olympic champions and world champions converging for a clash of global titans.
Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, US discus thrower Valarie Allman, Portuguese triple jumper Pedro Pichardo, Jamaican sprint hurdler Hansle Parchment, and Chinese throwers Gong Lijiao and Liu Shiying are among the luminaries set to grace the event.
One of the most anticipated showdowns awaits in the women’s 100m hurdles, featuring Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, alongside recent world champions Tobi Amusan and Danielle Williams. Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton, fresh from setting a world indoor record, adds further intrigue to the mix.
In the men’s 100m, a clash between sprinting powerhouses USA and Jamaica promises fireworks, with past world champions Fred Kerley and Christian Coleman leading the US charge against Jamaican speedsters such as Yohan Blake and Ackeem Blake.
The excitement extends to the field events, with Mutaz Essa Barshim locking horns with world indoor champion Hamish Kerr in the high jump, and world champion Hugues Fabrice Zango facing off against Olympic champion Pedro Pichardo in the triple jump.
Amidst the fierce competition, Chinese stars aim to thrill the home crowd, with Feng Bin seeking to make a statement in the discus throw against formidable opponents Valarie Allman and Laulauga Tausaga.
Gong Lijiao looks to assert her dominance in the shot put, while Olympic champion Liu Shiying faces tough competition in the javelin throw.
With last year’s Xiamen meeting drawing close to 30,000 spectators, anticipation is high for another sensational showcase of athleticism.
As world-class athletes converge in Xiamen, fans can expect nothing short of an unforgettable spectacle, setting the stage for an exhilarating Wanda Diamond League season ahead.
PHOTO: World Athletics
