Caribbean athletes shine on opening day of Diamond League Finals

BRUSSELS, Belgium -The first day of the Diamond League Finals in Brussels saw an outstanding display from Caribbean athletes as Julien Alfred, Ackeem Blake, Tajay Gayle, and Marileidy Paulino ended their seasons as champions.

Julien Alfred, fresh from her historic Olympic gold in Paris, avenged her recent defeat to Sha’Carri Richardson by winning the women’s 100m. Alfred crossed the line in 10.88 seconds, narrowly beating Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who clocked 10.92. Côte d’Ivoire’s Marie-Josée Ta Lou secured third in 11.05, while Richardson, who had edged Alfred in Zurich, struggled and finished eighth in 11.23.

Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake delivered one of the night’s best performances, winning the men’s 100m in 9.93 seconds. In a stacked field that included Fred Kerley, Christian Coleman, and Akani Simbine, Blake was the only sprinter to dip under 10 seconds. Coleman finished second in 10.00, with Kerley taking third in 10.01.

Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, the Olympic 400m champion, continued her reign in the 400m, crossing the line in 49.45 seconds. The USA’s Alexis Holmes finished second in 50.32, with Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke third in 50.96. Sade Williams of Barbados finished in 7th place in a time of 52.68.

In the women’s invitational 400m, Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams secured second place with a time of 50.53. The race was won by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who delivered a powerful performance, clocking 49.11. Romania’s Andrea Miklos finished third in 51.16. Stephenie-Ann McPherson, closing out her remarkable career, finished fourth in her final Diamond League race, clocking 51.24.

In the men’s 400m, Grenadian icon Kirani James finished second in 44.63, just behind Great Britain’s Charles Dobson, who won in 44.49. Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga placed third with a time of 44.69.

Tajay Gayle capped his season with a triumphant leap in the men’s long jump, reaching a season-best 8.28m to take the title. Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer finished second with 8.16m, while Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou took third at 8.15m.

In the women’s triple jump, Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez secured the title with a jump of 14.37m. Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts claimed silver with a final jump of 14.22m, while compatriot Ackelia Smith took bronze with 14.11m.

Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin fought her way to third in the women’s 800m, finishing in 1:58.94. Kenya’s Mary Moraa won the race in 1:56.56, while Great Britain’s Georgia Bell placed second in 1:57.50.

CMC

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