Ferdinand Omanyala, the reigning African record holder, achieved a remarkable victory in the men’s 100m at the Xiamen Diamond League Meeting in China. On May 23, 2026, Omanyala clocked an impressive time of 9.94 seconds.
Highlights of the Xiamen Diamond League
This race marked the second event of the 2026 Diamond League season. Omanyala secured first place, surpassing South Africa’s Gift Leotlela, who finished in second place at 10.00 seconds. Leotlela had previously triumphed at the Shanghai Diamond League Meeting on May 16.
Race Results
- 1st Place: Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya) – 9.94 seconds
- 2nd Place: Gift Leotlela (South Africa) – 10.00 seconds
- 3rd Place: Trayvon Bromell (USA) – 10.03 seconds
During the Shanghai meeting, which was the season opener, Leotlela had defeated Omanyala, crossing the finish line at 9.97 seconds, while Omanyala secured a time of 9.98 seconds.
Other Events at the Meeting
The Xiamen Diamond League also featured notable performances from Kenya’s athletes, although some did not meet expectations. Faith Cherotich, the world 3,000m steeplechase champion, finished third in her event with a time of 8:52.53, falling short against Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai.
Cherotich and Chemutai’s Performance
- 1st Place: Peruth Chemutai (Uganda) – 8:51.06 (new meet record)
- 2nd Place: Wilfred Yavi (Bahrain) – 8:51.54
- 3rd Place: Faith Cherotich (Kenya) – 8:52.53
Chemutai’s time not only set a new meet record but also established the world lead, surpassing the previous record held by Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya.
Women’s 1,500m and Men’s 5,000m Highlights
In the women’s 1,500m race, Australia’s Abbey Caldwell emerged victorious with a time of 3:57.26, handing a loss to Haylom Burke from Ethiopia.
- 1st Place: Abbey Caldwell (Australia) – 3:57.26
- 2nd Place: Haylom Burke (Ethiopia) – 3:55.56
- 3rd Place: Dorcas Ewoi (Kenya) – 3:58.13
Dorcas Ewoi achieved her season’s best but placed fourth. Meanwhile, in the men’s 5,000m, Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune broke the meet record with a world-leading time of 12:57.32.
- 1st Place: Addisu Yihune (Ethiopia) – 12:57.32
- 2nd Place: Girma Lamecha (Ethiopia) – 12:58.96
- 3rd Place: Edwin Kurgat (Kenya) – 13:01.47
This event showcased remarkable performances and set the stage for an exciting Diamond League season.
