Diamond League Finals Review

After months of rigorous training and relentless competition to earn points, the momentous Diamond League Final of 2023 finally arrived. This season had treated fans to a total of fourteen thrilling meets, culminating in the prestigious final event. Remarkably, this year’s final was hosted at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, marking the first time in history that the Diamond League Final ventured outside of Europe to The United States. The competition spanned two electrifying days, and Caribbean athletes were ready to deliver one last exhilarating performance of the season.

The opening day of the Diamond League Final witnessed exceptional performances from our Caribbean athletes. Kyron McMaster, the Silver Medallist at the Budapest World Championship from the British Virgin Islands, displayed his prowess by finishing third in the highly competitive 400-meter Hurdles race, clocking an impressive 47.31 seconds. Norway’s Karsten Warholm, the World Recordholder, secured the second position with a time of 46.43 seconds. However, the race was brilliantly won by Antiguan-born Rai Benjamin, who set a new World-Leading and Diamond League Record with an astonishing time of 46.39 seconds. Benjamin’s victory established him as the top-ranked American man in both the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles.

In the 400 meters, Grenada’s Kirani James clinched victory with a Season’s Season-best time of 44.30 seconds, marking his third time winning the 400-meter Diamond League Title in his career. Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald secured fifth place with a time of 45.10 seconds. 

In the Men’s Javelin, Grenada’s two-time World Champion, Anderson Peters, delivered a commendable performance, finishing sixth with his best throw spanning 74.71 meters.

The Women’s Triple Jump witnessed Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts showcasing her talent with a remarkable leap of 15.03 meters, setting a new Personal Best and securing second place. Her compatriot, Kimberly Williams, achieved third place with a Season’s Best jump of 14.61 meters. The event, however, was dominated by Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas, the Budapest World Champion, who soared to a Meeting Record of 15.35 meters, clinching yet another Diamond League Title.

In the Men’s 100 meters, Jamaica’s emerging sprint sensation, Kishane Thompson, claimed a respectable fourth place with a time of 9.87 seconds. The event was won by American Christian Coleman in 9.83 seconds, followed by Budapest World Champion Noah Lyles in second place with 9.85 seconds, and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala in third, also with 9.85 seconds. Yohan Blake, the veteran Jamaican sprinter, secured the sixth position with a time of 10.08 seconds.

Jamaica’s Danniel Thomas-Dodd competed in the Shot Put, finishing sixth with her best throw spanning 19.17 meters. To conclude the first day of competition, Shericka Jackson of Jamaica clinched her first Diamond League Title by emerging victorious in the 100 meters with an impressive time of 10.70 seconds. Her compatriot, Elaine Thompson-Herah, secured third place with a Season’s Best time of 10.79 seconds,  while Natasha Morrison finished sixth with a Personal Best of 10.85 seconds.

The second day of the meet witnessed spectacular achievements. Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tesgsay set a new 5000-meter World Record, clocking an astonishing time of 14:00.21, surpassing the previous record held by Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon. In the Pole Vault, Sweden’s Armard ‘Mondo’ Duplantis cleared a new World Record height of 6.23 meters, establishing himself as a true legend of the sport.

Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle shone in the Men’s Long Jump, securing second place with a leap of 8.22 meters, narrowly missing the top spot to Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer based on countback. LaQuan Nairn from the Bahamas secured seventh place with a leap of 7.27 meters.

Rushell Clayton, the Budapest World Championship bronze medallist from Jamaica, delivered an impressive performance in the Women’s 400 meters hurdles, finishing third with a time of 53.56 seconds. The race was won by Femke Bol of the Netherlands in a Meeting Record time of 51.98 seconds, followed by the United States’ Shamire Little in second with 53.45 seconds, and Jamaica’s Janieve Russel in fourth with a Season’s Best of 53.60 seconds.

The Women’s 400 meters saw Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic running a swift 49.58 seconds to capture her second consecutive Diamond League Title. Jamaica’s Candice McLeod secured fourth place with a time of 50.76 seconds, while Barbadian Sada Williams finished fifth with 51.07 seconds, and Aliyah Abrams claimed the eighth position with a time of 51.70 seconds.

The Men’s 110-meter hurdles witnessed Jamaica’s Olympic Champion, Hansle Parchment, running a Personal Best and World-Leading time of 12.93 seconds, securing his first Diamond League Title in the event.

In the Women’s 800 meters, Jamaica’s Natoya Goule ran her best-executed race, finishing third with a Jamaican National Record time of 1:55.96.

Alexander Ogando from the Dominican Republic, who had faced a false start in the 400 meters, redeemed himself by finishing fourth in the 200 meters with a time of 20.08 seconds. The race was won by Canada’s Olympic Champion, Andre de Grasse, who clocked a Season’s Best of 19.75 seconds, claiming his first Diamond League Title in the event.

To wrap up the meet on a high note, double World 200 meters Champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica ran her second-fastest Diamond League 200 meters with an impressive time of 21.57 seconds, securing her second Diamond League Trophy of the meet. This achievement also made her the second woman since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to win both the 100 meters and 200 meters at the Diamond League Final. Anthonique Strachan from the Bahamas finished third with her second-fastest 200-meter time of 22.16 seconds, marking a highly successful Diamond League Final for the Caribbean region.

The 2023 Diamond League season undoubtedly provided fans with a remarkable spectacle, as Caribbean athletes consistently shattered records and demonstrated their status as world-beaters. With the season coming to a close, these exceptional athletes will now turn their attention to the Off Season, where they will rest and prepare for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Season.

What was your favorite Caribbean performance at the Diamond League Final? Let us know in the comment section below.

The Caribbean athletes truly showcased their prowess, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage. Their dedication, passion, and talent remind us that with hard work and determination, greatness is within reach. As we bid farewell to this season, let’s carry forward the inspiration and look forward to the magic they’ll bring in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Remember to comment below with your standout Caribbean performance from the Final. Until next time, keep cheering, keep believing, and always aim for the stars! 🌟🏆🌴

As we gear up for the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics if you’re enjoying our content and don’t want to miss out on any updates, please do us a favor: subscribe to our blog or our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to share with fellow athletics enthusiasts. Also, make sure to turn on notifications so you’re the first to know when we drop new content. Let’s experience the Olympic magic together!