The Diamond Race Duels: Track - Diamond League Main

Once athletes return from their Olympic adventures in Brazil, many will face a climactic finish to their Diamond Race campaigns. We take a look at some of the most gripping Diamond Race duels to have hit the track this season.

LaShawn Merritt vs Wayde van Niekerk

Two-time Diamond Race winner LaShawn Merritt got off to a flyer with wins in Doha and Rabat in the men’s 400m. Since then, last year’s runner-up Wayde van Niekerk has fought back with two victories himself in Rome and Monaco. Isaac Makwala and Kirani James are also in the chasing pack, but it is Merritt and van Niekerk who lead the line this season.

They top the standings in the #DiamondRace, so we pit @lashawnmerritt vs @WaydeDreamer in a battle of the stats! pic.twitter.com/QqL5nnpoS7
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 28, 2016

Asbel Kiprop vs Elijah Motonei Manangoi

Diamond Trophy holder and two-time winner Asbel Kiprop was expected to run away with the men’s 1500m Diamond Race this year. Three victories from five rounds have put him in a good position, but he is yet to pull clear of Elijah Motonei Manangoi, whose consisten podium finishes have seen him rack up the points as he chases his compatriot.

Elijah Motonei #Manangoi has been hot on the heels of @kipropasbel in this year’s 1500m #DiamondRace. pic.twitter.com/5lOg9xOtOx
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 1, 2016

Ruth Jebet vs Hyvin Kiyeng

Perhaps one of the most closely fought Diamond Race campaigns of the entire season, neither Ruth Jebet nor Hyvin Kiyeng have given each other an inch this season. With two wins each, they are equal on points and victories, and neither has been able to win two meetings in a row. If the trend continues, it could mean a decisive showdown in the Final.

Ruth #Jebet and Hyvin #Kiyeng have been neck-and-neck all the way in the women’s #Steeplechase #DiamondRace pic.twitter.com/sGzKEJjLVe
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 1, 2016

Orlando Ortega vs Omar McLeod

Omar McLeod was the story of the early season as he raced to victories in Doha and Shanghai, giving him a healthy lead in the Diamond Race. Orlando Ortega, though, only narrowly missed out on the Diamond Trophy last season, and has fought back to overtake the Jamaican. McLeod’s unfortunate fall in Monaco meant that Ortega’s lead is as big as ten points, but the Spaniard is by no means out of the woods yet.

.@orlando2991 has overtaken @Warrior_omz in the #DiamondRace, but it’s still all to play for in the #110mH duel! pic.twitter.com/hNZIfPt5WJ
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 1, 2016