The Prefontaine Classic can boast of quite the line-up in this year’s shot put. It is a highly decorated field which includes the likes of Olympic Champion Ryan Crouser, triple World Champion Tom Walsh, former World Champion and Diamond Trophy winner Joe Kovacs, and current Diamond Trophy holder Darrell Hill.
For these shot heavyweights, Eugene will be the first step on the Road To The Final, as they aim to get their hands on the Diamond Trophy in Zurich on the 30th August.
Between them, they can boast of a wealth of Diamond League experience, having battled each other time and again on the Diamond League circuit over the years.
Here, we take a look back at some of the very best clashes of recent seasons.
2015 – Joe Kovacs v David Storl
Joe Kovacs and David Storl soared above the rest in 2015, engaging in an enthralling, season long battle for the Diamond Trophy.
They won alternate Diamond League meetings throughout the summer, and faced each other in direct competition on two occasions. Kovacs beat Storl in Eugene, while the German got the better of the American in Lausanne.
Storl, who is now returning to his best form in two years, is also set to appear in Eugene, and will be looking to channel the spirit of 2015 when he kicks off his Diamond League campaign.
It was Kovacs who ended up triumphant in 2015, however, as he finished third in the Brussels Final, just about picking up enough points to win the Diamond Trophy. The winner on the day in Brussels, meanwhile, was a certain Tom Walsh…
2016 – Joe Kovacs v Tom Walsh
Having beaten Kovacs on one day in 2015, New Zealand shot put hero Tom Walsh went head to head with the American in yet another fascinating season-long duel in 2016.
Kovacs looked well placed to defend his Diamond Trophy throughout the season, picking up wins in Eugene, Oslo and London. Walsh, though, was also amassing valuable points with regular podium finishes, and he kicked on in the final phase of the Diamond League journey.
Having taken valuable victory in Paris, he proceeded to win the Zurich final in style, becoming the first man from outside North American to win the Diamond Trophy in the men’s shot put.
Walsh went on to be crowned World Champion in 2017, and would remain the Diamond League favourite that season, but he, Kovacs and Olympic Champion Ryan Crouser were all ultimately beaten by one, surprise upstart…
2017 – Darrell Hill v Everybody
In a square in the city centre of Brussels, the sun is shining and the world’s best shot putters are battling it out for the Diamond Trophy.
Joe Kovacs has started with a strong throw of 21.62, while defending champion Tom Walsh is struggling to find his rhythm. The favourite is without doubt Olympic Champion Ryan Crouser, who opens with 22.37, before once again clearing 22m with his third throw.
Crouser has one finger on the Diamond Trophy, and appears a worthy victor after another fine season.
Then, suddenly, it happens. Young Darrell Hill steps into the circle for his sixth and final throw, and launches an incredible, PB-busting, Diamond Trophy-winning monster of a put. The shot seems to hang over the Brussels’ rooftops for hours, and eventually lands 22.44m from the circle.
Against all the odds and against the very best in his discipline, Hill has won the Diamond Trophy.