Chinese long jumper Zhang Mingkun soared to victory at the World Athletics Diamond League opener in Xiamen this weekend, leaping 8.18 meters in a dramatic fifth-attempt comeback. 🌟 'I found my rhythm when it counted,' the rising star told reporters after his debut win at the Fujian Province event.
While Zhang stole the limelight, athletes worldwide delivered heart-pounding moments:
🇨🇳 Zhu Yaming nabbed triple jump silver (17.03m) behind Jamaica's record-smashing Jordan Scott
16-year-old sprint prodigy Chen Yujie 🚀 broke Asian youth records in the 200m (22.99s)
Norwegian hurdling king Karsten Warholm ⚡️ clocked a world-leading 33.05s in the 300m event
Dutch thrower Jessica Schilder dominated women's shot put with a 20.47m launch
Veteran Gong Lijiao (36) proved age is just a number, earning shot put bronze with a season-best 19.62m toss. 'Consistency beats everything,' said the Olympic medalist, hinting at Paris 2024 ambitions.
The event also saw Swedish pole vault legend Armand Duplantis defend his title despite wind challenges, while Kenya's Faith Kipyegon 🔥 nearly shattered the 1,000m world record (2:29.32).
With Xiamen's picturesque coastal stadium setting the stage, this Diamond League opener offered a thrilling preview of track-and-field’s road to the Olympics. 🌍💨
