Suzhou Diamond League: Five things you need to know before starting gun fires

Suzhou Diamond League: Five things you need to know before starting gun fires

Festus Chuma 09:47 - 26.04.2024

Diamond League in Suzhou this weekend promises intense competition with pole vault, sprints, and shot put stars set the stage for glory.

The Wanda Diamond League is in Suzhou this weekend for the second leg of an electrifying Chinese double bill, setting the stage for a spectacle of world-class athletics.

As the second part of a thrilling Chinese double bill to launch the 2024 season, anticipation is high and expectations are soaring.

Here are five key insights to keep you at the edge of your seat before the starting gun fires:

1. Duplantis dominance continues

Prepare for the unexpected as pole vault world record holder Mondo Duplantis prepares to grace the skies once again.

Fresh from shattering records in Xiamen, Duplantis arrives in Suzhou full of momentum and ambition. 

With his eyes set on further glory, the Swedish sensation promises another historic performance that could leave spectators in awe.

2. Richardson's redemption quest

After a stunning upset in Xiamen's women's 200m, where Australian prodigy Torrie Lewis edged out world champion Sha'Carri Richardson, all eyes are on the American sprinter for redemption. 

With fierce competition from the likes of Mujinga Kambundji and Tamara Clark, Richardson is poised to reclaim her Diamond League throne in Suzhou.

3. Kitaguchi's title defense

Haruka Kitaguchi, the first Japanese athlete to clinch the Diamond League title, embarks on her quest to defend her crown on home soil in Suzhou. 

With rivals closely watching her every move, can Kitaguchi rise above the competition once again and maintain her reign as the queen of the track?

4. Coleman vs. Kerley showdown

The men's sprints witness a clash of titans as Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley lock horns for supremacy. 

Following Coleman's razor-thin victory over Kerley in Xiamen, anticipation runs high for their rematch in Suzhou. 

Will Kerley stage a comeback or will Coleman solidify his dominance?

5. Gong Lijiao's quest for glory

Amidst the star-studded lineup, Chinese shot put powerhouse Gong Lijiao emerges as a beacon of hope for the home crowd.

 With a storied history of Diamond League triumphs, Gong aims to reignite her dominance on the field in Suzhou. 

Can she deliver another stellar performance and kickstart her pursuit of a fourth title?

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