Shanghai Diamond League 2025 Preview: Duplantis, Kipyegon, Warholm Lead Star-Studded Field

Anthony Foster
The event Budapest 23 women's 200m will witness a showdown between Shericka Jackson, Sha'Carri Richardson, and Gabby Thomas.

The 2025 Wanda Diamond League season gets underway with the Shanghai Diamond League in China, with one of the strongest opening-meet lineups the series has ever seen. The China Textile City Sports Centre hosts the main session beginning at 19:04 local time (11:04 GMT), marking the first time Shanghai has served as the Diamond League opener since the series launched in 2010.

World records are within reach in several events, and meet records look likely to fall across the board. Here is a breakdown of what to watch.

Shanghai Diamond League Live Stream: How to Watch Live Online and on TV

Shanghai Diamond League Women’s Events

5000m Before the main program begins, Faith Kipyegon will attempt to break the world record in the 5000m. Kipyegon herself held the previous world record at 14:05.20, making her the clear favorite. Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa, Aynadis Mebratu, and Chaltu Dida all bring sub-14:30.00 personal bests, while Britain’s Melissa Courtney-Bryant is the only European in the field. A world-leading time is all but guaranteed.

100m Hurdles This may be the deepest event on the women’s side. The field includes Olympic champion Masai Russell, world champion Ditaji Kambundji, two-time world champion Danielle Williams, world record holder Tobi Amusan, and three-time world indoor champion Devynne Charlton. Megan Simmonds, Ackera Nugent, Tonea Marshall, and Yanni Wu round out a lineup that has the firepower to threaten the meet record of 12.42.

Shot Put The top six shot putters in the world rankings are entered. Reigning Olympic champion Yemisi Mabry, world champion Jessica Schilder, world indoor champion Chase Jackson, and two-time world indoor champion Sarah Mitton headline the field. Fanny Roos, Maggie Ewen, Jaida Roos, and Zhang Linru complete the top 10.

200m Shericka Jackson and Sha’Carri Richardson both open their 200m seasons here, with returning competitor Shaunae Miller-Uibo, World Championship medalist Amy Hunt, and in-form Jenna Prandini also in the mix. The meet record of 22.06 is under threat.

400m Salwa Eid Naser begins her international season against Jamaican pair Nickisha Pryce and Stacey Ann Williams, along with Cuba’s Roxana Gomez, Chile’s Martina Weil, and American Aaliyah Butler. The meet record of 49.63 could fall.

1500m World Championship silver medalist Dorcas Ewoi and bronze medalist Jess Hull lead the field and will face strong Ethiopian and Australian groups. Ethiopia is represented by Birke Haylom, Saron Behre, and Worknesh Mesele, while Australia sends Claudia Hollingsworth, Linden Hall, Sarah Billings, and Abbey Caldwell.

3000m Steeplechase Reigning world champion Faith Cherotich tops the entry list, but former Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai and former world champion Norah Jeruto will push her. Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani adds extra depth, while Alice Finot leads the European contingent and Courtney Wayment represents the United States.

Long Jump Two-time Diamond League Final champion Larissa Iapichino opens her outdoor season against current world leader Lex Brown and a competitive field that includes Monae’ Nichols, Claire Bryant, and Natalia Linares.

Shanghai Diamond League Men’s Events

Pole Vault Mondo Duplantis makes his outdoor season debut in Shanghai. The Swedish star set a world indoor record of 6.31m at the Mondo Classic earlier this year and will look to build on that form outdoors. World Championship silver medalist Emmanouil Karalis, bronze medalist Kurtis Marschall, American Sam Kendricks, and European indoor champion Menno Vloon all compete. Sondre Guttormsen withdrew late. The meet record stands at 6.11m.

400m Hurdles Karsten Warholm enters with eyes on his own world best of 32.67 in the 300m hurdles, an event being held at this meet for the first time, meaning a meet record is guaranteed. Alison dos Santos, Kyron McMaster, and 400m hurdles world-leading time holder Trevor Bassitt are also in the race. Caleb Dean makes his 300m hurdles debut.

100m Every man in the 100m field has a personal best under 10.00 seconds. Reigning 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, South Africa’s Akani Simbine, and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala take on American trio Christian Coleman, Trayvon Bromell, and Kenny Bednarek. Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy is the slowest entrant on paper with a 9.96 personal best.

Discus Reigning world champion Daniel Stahl and Olympic champion Roje Stona headline a strong discus field. Australia’s Matthew Denny and Germany’s Steven Richter have both cleared 74.00m this season. World Championship bronze medalist Alex Rose, Kristjan Čeh, and British record holder Lawrence Okoye also compete. The meet record of 69.69m, set by Zoltan Kovago back in 2010, is expected to be broken.

110m Hurdles World champion Cordell Tinch, who ran his personal best of 12.87 at this meet last year, returns alongside world leader Rachid Muratake, Enrique Llopis, Orlando Bennett, and Jamal Britt.

800m Seven men with personal bests inside 1:44.00 are entered, led by Wyclife Kinyamal, who also holds the meet record of 1:43.91 set in 2018. France’s Yanis Meziane and American Brandon Miller both open their seasons here.

3000m The 3000m field includes Kenya’s Jacob Krop and Timothy Cheruiyot, who moves up from the 1500m. Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale brings the fastest personal best in the field at 7:24.98. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren and Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew are also entered. The meet record of 7:36.36 is expected to fall.

Long Jump Italy’s Mattia Furlani is the featured name, but four athletes in the field have personal bests beyond his 8.39m, including Tajay Gayle, Bozhidar Saraboyukov, Yohao Shi, and Wayne Pinnock, who opens his outdoor season. Every competitor has jumped at least 8.17m.

_________________________
Ready to weigh in on the Shanghai Diamond League? Whether you agree, disagree, or have insider knowledge to share – the comments section below is waiting for YOUR unique perspective. Join the Trackalerts Social conversation now!

Like us on Facebook @trackalerts
Follow us on Instagram @trackalerts
Subscribe to our YouTube @trackalertstv
Follow us on TikTok @trackalerts
Follow us on X @trackalerts
Follow us on Threads @trackalerts

Share This Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *