Several of the Caribbean’s biggest names will be in action on Saturday when the 2025 Wanda Diamond League season gets underway at the opening meeting in Xiamen, China.
Grenadian Olympic champion Kirani James will headline a strong field in the men’s 400m. James, a three-time Olympic medallist, will line up against newly crowned World Indoor champion Christopher Bailey, Belgium’s World Indoor silver medallist Alexander Doom, and seasoned American Vernon Norwood in what is expected to be a highly competitive contest.
In the men’s long jump, the Caribbean will be strongly represented by Jamaica’s Wayne Pinnock, the 2023 World Championship, 2024 Paris Olympics and 2025 World Indoor Championship silver medallist, who will do battle with compatriot and 2019 world champion Tajay Gayle among others in a stacked field.
Tokyo Olympics champion Hansle Parchment will take on a loaded field in the 110m hurdles that includes reigning world and Olympic champion Grant Holloway, Olympic silver medallist Daniel Roberts, and rising American star Cordell Tinch.
In the women’s sprints, two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson is set to open her 2025 Diamond League campaign in the half-lap event against a deep field featuring American standouts Jenna Prandini, Anavia Battle, Twanisha Terry, and Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji.
The men’s 100m will see former Jamaica national champion Rohan Watson lining up against a high-powered field that includes 2019 world champion Christian Coleman, Botswana’s Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo, and Kenya’s African champion Ferdinand Omanyala.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, two-time world champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica will match strides with two-time World Indoor champion Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas, Olympic champion Nia Ali, world record holder Tobi Amusan, and Americans Grace Stark and Tonea Marshall.
Meanwhile, in the newly introduced 300m hurdles event, British Virgin Islands’ star Kyron McMaster, a two-time Diamond League winner over 400m hurdles, will take on an elite field featuring world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway and American CJ Allen.
With world and Olympic champions across multiple disciplines ready to kick-start their seasons, Saturday’s Xiamen Diamond League is set to deliver fireworks as the Caribbean’s best face off again
st the world’s elite.
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