XIAMEN, CHINA, September 02—Finally, after years of pandemic-related postponements in this southeast Chinese city of 4 million, the Diamond League made its long-awaited appearance in a beautiful new $1.2 billion Egret Stadium.
Forget 9 lanes — so cutting-edge is the facility that 10 lanes were occupied for the men’s 100, which brought together Christian Coleman and the long-awaited rematch between Fred Kerley and Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs.
Coleman, only 5th in Budapest, could not be caught this time around, leading every step of the way to win in a 9.83 that tied the yearly world lead held by Zharnel Hughes and Noah Lyles.
Kerley and Jacobs never posed a threat to Coleman; instead it was unheralded Jamaican Kishane Thompson, who was not even on the Budapest squad, who finished like a rocket for a PR 9.85 from lane 10. Kerley was 3rd in 9.96, ahead of Brandon Carnes (10.01 PR) and Marvin Bracy-Williams (10.02). Jacobs ran 7th in 10.05.
“I was not very happy [about Budapest],” said Coleman. “So I came here and got my seasonal best. After Worlds, everyone is tired.”
Organizers saved the best matchup for last, as 3-time world champion Grant Holloway lined up against Olympic gold medalist Hansle Parchment of Jamaica as well as WC 3rd-placer Daniel Roberts. Holloway got out best, dominating the first 6 hurdles before losing the thread. Parchment charged from well behind into the lead over the final hurdles, crossing in 12.96 with Roberts (13.03) also finishing in front of Holloway’s 13.12.
On the field, world champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh dispensed with the competition when she cleared 6-4¾ (1.95), then went on to 6-6 (1.98) and then an =WL 6-7½ (2.02). “I did not expect that because I felt a bit tired,” she said.
Fans got to see a tremendous 400 match between former world champion Kirani James and current bronze medalist Quincy Hall. The two pulled away from the field off the final turn and were virtually inseparable as they battled down the straight. At the line, it took a camera to distinguish their matching 44.38s, with the Grenadian getting the nod. Jamaican Rusheen McDonald finished 3rd (44.82) over Vernon Norwood (44.99).
The women’s 400 featured world champion Marileidy Paulino, who cruised a 49.36 to take an easy win over Candice McLeod of Jamaica (50.19) and Lynna Irby-Jackson…
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