Chinese long jumper Zhang Mingkun claimed a thrilling victory at the Diamond League season opener in Xiamen on Saturday, securing gold with an 8.18-meter leap on his fifth attempt. The 25-year-old athlete acknowledged initial struggles but praised the coastal city's enthusiastic crowd for energizing his performance.
While Zhang's triumph highlighted China's presence, competition proved fierce across disciplines. Olympic triple jump silver medalist Zhu Yaming settled for second place (17.03m) behind Jamaica’s Jordan Scott (17.27m), while 36-year-old shot put veteran Gong Lijiao earned bronze with a season-best 19.62m toss. "Consistency is my biggest challenge at this stage," Gong reflected after the event.
Teen sprinter Chen Yujie emerged as a breakout star, setting an Asian youth record in the women’s 200m (22.99s) during her Diamond League debut. Meanwhile, Norwegian hurdling sensation Karsten Warholm thrilled spectators by smashing the 300m hurdles world best (33.05s), declaring Xiamen's atmosphere "perfect for peak performance."
The event showcased global athletic prowess, with triumphs by South Africa’s Akani Simbine (men’s 100m), Greece’s Elina Tzengko (women’s javelin), and Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, who narrowly missed breaking the women’s 1,000m world record by 0.23 seconds. Swedish pole vault star Armand Duplantis defended his title despite windy conditions, clearing 5.92m.
With multiple personal bests and season-opening milestones achieved, the Xiamen meet sets an exciting tone for track and field’s premier circuit. As athletes prepare for upcoming Olympic qualifications, their performances underscore Asia's growing prominence in hosting world-class sporting events.
