Myers edges Koech for Brussels 1500m Diamond League title
Cam Myers won a tight men's 1500m at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, with Jakob Ingebrigtsen finishing fourth and criticizing his rivals.
Cam Myers of Australia won the men's 1500m Diamond League title in Brussels. He narrowly held off Kenya's Kipkosgei Koech.
Ethan Strand took third. Jakob Ingebrigtsen, returning from an Achilles injury, placed fourth after stumbling at the line. The Norwegian described his finish as "very much a dive."
Ingebrigtsen's post-race criticism
Ingebrigtsen was scathing in his assessment of the race and his competitors. He told Athletics Weekly he was "very disappointed" and called his rivals "a bunch of cowards." He singled out only winner Cam Myers as a "good racer."
The athlete also criticized the race's pacemaking. He claimed the pacemaker, Christian Jackson, was swapped for a teammate of Olympic champion Cole Hocker, who finished eighth. "From now on he is in no position to make any changes or decisions in the 1500m because he fooled us," Ingebrigtsen said.
Sprint victories for Alfred and Seville
Julien Alfred of St Lucia won the women's 200m. Kayla White of the USA was second, with Britain's Amy Hunt third in a season's best.
Alfred said she was "super happy" with her race, particularly the first half. She noted the late start time was not ideal for fast times but was proud of her season's best.
In the men's 100m, world champion Oblique Seville triumphed. Emmanuel Eseme took silver, while Kayinsola Ajayi completed the podium.
Middle-distance and field event highlights
Emmanuel Wanyonyi produced a standout performance in the men's 800m. The Kenyan powered to victory in a new meeting best. Djamel Sedjati was second, with Yanis Meziane third.
Collen Kebinatshipi dominated the men's 400m, winning in a Botswana national best. Jereem Richards also set a national best in second, and Jacory Patterson ran a personal best for third.
| Event | Winner | Winning Mark | Second Place | Third Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 1500m | Cam Myers (AUS) | Kipkosgei Koech (KEN) | Ethan Strand (USA) | |
| Women's 200m | Julien Alfred (LCA) | Kayla White (USA) | Amy Hunt (GBR) | |
| Men's 100m | Oblique Seville (JAM) | Emmanuel Eseme (CMR) | Kayinsola Ajayi (NGR) | |
| Men's 800m | Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) | MR | Djamel Sedjati (ALG) | Yanis Meziane (FRA) |
| Men's 400m | Collen Kebinatshipi (BOT) | NR | Jereem Richards (TTO) NR | Jacory Patterson (USA) PB |
MR = Meeting Record, NR = National Record, PB = Personal Best
Record-breaking performances in the field
With world record-holder Mondo Duplantis withdrawing due to leg tightness, Emmanouil Karalis of Greece won the pole vault. His clearance broke Duplantis's previous meeting best. Sondre Guttormsen and Kurtis Marschall tied for second.
Chase Jackson set a world lead and American best in the women's shot put. She also broke the Diamond League and meeting bests. Sarah Mitton finished second.
Poland's Mateusz Kołodziejski claimed a surprise win in the men's high jump, clearing for his first Diamond League victory. Three-time champion Gianmarco Tamberi finished fourth. In the discus, Kristjan Čeh set a meeting best with a throw.
The first night of the Diamond League Final was part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Memorial Van Damme meeting in Brussels.
