This is EME News’ review of Day 1 of the Diamond League Finals on 13 September 2024.
Denny 69.96 MR/AR, Duplantis 611 MR, 4th DL title for Allman and Duplantis, 8 first time champions
BRUSSELS (BEL, September 13). The Wanda Diamond League Final / Allianz Van Damme Memorial, even at the end of a long season, brought quality performances and exciting battles in front of a crowd of 35,000+. And all this in extremely unfavorable weather conditions, after a rainy day and in conditions of 12-13 degrees Celsius. An ocean record for Matthew Denny in the discus (69.96), a meet record and another MR for Armand Duplantis (611). Valarie Allman in the women’s discus and Mondo won their fourth Diamond League final trophies, while four new Olympic champions lost. On the other hand, new DL champions were crowned in 8 of the 17 sports. The DL finals continue on Saturday.
Brief reviews
Women
100 m. Alfred again with 10.88 (0.2) for his premier DL title, ahead of Asher-Smith (10.92), Richardson dropped to eighth (11.23).
400 m. Paulino’s third consecutive title in 49.45 minutes, but slower than the Queen of Obstacles, ahead of Holmes (50.32).
400 m (non-DL). In a special race designed for McLaughlin-LeVron, he won in 49.11.
800 m. Moraa clearly in the SB with 1:56.56 for his second DL title ahead of Bell (1:57.50).
High jump. Third straight DL title for Mahuchich with 197 rebounds over Ollislager.
Triple jump. Premier DL title for Perez-Hernandez: 14.37 (-0.1) 14.22 (0.0) ahead of Ricketts.
Shooting. After an Olympic setback, Mitton’s premier DL title was 20.25 over Jackson (19.90) and Ogunley (19.72).
Discussion: Fourth straight DL title for Allman with 68.47 ahead of Bin Feng (67.49).
Men
100 m. Premier title A. For Blake, a quick 9.93 (0.1) in cold conditions ahead of Coleman (10.00) and Kerley (10.01).
400 m. Dobson was surprisingly fastest at the outside line in 44.49, his premier DL title over James (44.63), who outlasted Norwood in the final battle.
400 m (non-DL). Belgium’s Segers (45.38 PB) in the invitational race honoring the retired Borle twins, Kevin finished sixth (47.18).
1500 m. 1500m DL third title (4th overall) Ingebrigtsen (3:30.37), surpassing T. Cheruyoti (3:30.93) home straight, Hawker third (3:30.94), Nuguse dropped to sixth (3). :32.30) after the collision.
5000 m. Aregawi’s second SB title in 12:43.66, a clean Ethiopian sweep ahead of Gebrhivet (12:44.25) and Tilahun Bekele (12:45.63 SB).
A surprise as El Bakkali suffered defeat after three years and 16 straight wins, Serem’s premier DL title in 8:06.90, with the Moroccan star second (8:08.60).
110 m hurdles. Joia confirmed his current form and won the premier DL title in 13.16 (0.4) over Simonelli (13.22).
Pole vault. Of course Armand Duplantis with his fourth straight DL title and MR of 611 ahead of Karalis (582) and Jointly Broeders (=SB) and Kendricks (both 582).
Long jump. After a not-so-good season, a surprising win for Gayle and a DL premiership and even 828 SB (0.4), Tentoglu again improved significantly in the last series, but 815 (0.2) was not enough and 816 (0 ,4) exceeded Ehammer.
Discussion: Defending champion Danny settled for an AR/MR of 69.96 in the first series, Alecna was on the attack but was able to get to 68.86.
