1. Röhler has a fight on his hands
2014 Diamond Race winner Thomas Röhler was on the verge of pulling away at the top of the men’s javelin Diamond Race after his victory in Oslo. The German has a chance to win the Diamond Trophy in Zürich for the second time in three years, but Ihab Abdelrahman has once again shown that he is up for the fight. The Egyptian’s victory in Stockholm brings him within five points of Röhler, and sets the stage for a thrilling duel in the second half of the season.
2. One trophy not enough for Beitia?
Ruth Beitia had never won the Diamond Race before last year, and she took her winning campaign to the wire, securing victory at the last minute in Brussels last September. The Spanish high jumper’s title defence has proved equally as tough, but the experienced Beitia is equal to the task. Consecutive wins in Oslo and Stockholm have seen her overtake Levern Spencer at the top of the standings. Beitia now has a four point lead and could be on course for a second Diamond Trophy in as many years.
3. Who can hold back Harrison?
Her absence in Oslo had meant that Kendra Harrison surrendered her lead in the women’s 100m hurdles Diamond Race. Brianna Rollins had been in hot pursuit since the beginning of the season, and took the opportunity to sneak two points ahead of her compatriot. Harrison, though, seems unbeatable when she is on the track, and immediately hit back with a win in Stockholm. The young hurdler now has an eight point lead in the Diamond Race with three wins under her belt.
4. Rudisha running out of time
David Rudisha has struggled to get points on the board in this year’s Diamond Race, and Stockholm presented an opportunity to push himself up the standings. Yet once again, the Kenyan legend had to make do with fourth place. Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich, meanwhile, continued his fine form and consolidated his now ten-point lead at the top with victory in Sweden. For Rudisha, who is now a full 21 points behind Rotich, this may not be a diamond year.
5. Four horse race in the 400m?
It had appeared that the women’s 400m Diamond Race was set to be dominated by Shaunae Miller and Stephanie-Ann McPherson this season, but after Stockholm, the race has been blown wide open. Novlene Williams-Mills’ victory has seen her surge up the standings into third place, just three points behind Diamond Race leader Miller. With Natasha Hastings just three points behind Williams-Mills in fourth, it looks like the women’s 400m may become a four horse race.