Joe Kovacs vs Tom Walsh
Joe Kovacs won the Diamond Trophy in the shot put last season after a fierce duel with David Storl, and he has been in for another one so far as he seeks to defend his title. Despite having won three of the five Diamond Race meetings so far, Kovacs is only six points ahead of New Zealand’s Tom Walsh. Walsh’s victory in Stockholm and regular podium finishes elsewhere have seen him keep Kovacs in his sights.
.@TomWalshSP isn't far behind @JoeKovacsUSA in the shot put #DiamondRace… pic.twitter.com/nLtWmGWmNO
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 3, 2016
Ruth Beitia vs Levern Spencer
The women’s high jump has been a battle between two experienced athletes, as Levern Spencer tries to stop Ruth Beitia from retaining the Diamond Trophy she won last year. Spencer got off to a good start with a win in Shanghai, but Beitia has now won three on the trot in Oslo, Stockholm and London, meaning the Spaniard has surged into the lead.
Two experienced athletes have gone head-to-head in the high jump #DiamondRace this year. @ruthypeich @LevernSpencer pic.twitter.com/FaJDbGXhzp
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 3, 2016
Thomas Röhler vs Jakub Vadlejch
With two victories in the first three meetings, German Thomas Röhler looked incredibly well set to reclaim the Diamond Trophy he won in 2014. Jakub Vadlejch’s victory in London, though, means that Röhler still has some work to do. The German has a ten point lead, but a late rally is always possible in the men’s javelin Diamond Race, as Tero Pitkämäki proved last season.
Can @thomasroehler win a 2nd #DiamondTrophy in 3 years? Or will Jakub #Vadlejch catch him in the #DiamondRace? pic.twitter.com/eXTwjJYprH
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 3, 2016
Valerie Adams vs Tia Brooks
Four-time Diamond Race winner Valerie Adams lost her title after being injured for much of last season, and the shot putter from New Zealand looks determined to win it back this year. Wins in Rabat, Rome and Monaco have given Adams a healthy lead, but she still cannot shake off Tia Brooks, who began her year with a bang, winning in Doha.
She's already got four #DiamondRace titles. @ValerieAdams84 is up against @TiaBrooksOnline as she goes for a 5th. pic.twitter.com/gNDUdR7sxP
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 3, 2016