(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Diamond League Finals: Lyles, Alfred Shine Ahead of Tokyo World Championships
The Diamond League Finals in Zurich delivered a night of thrilling athletics, with Olympic champions Noah Lyles and Julien Alfred leading the way as they fine-tune preparations for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.
Lyles Makes History in the 200m
American sprint star Noah Lyles secured his sixth Diamond League Final title, becoming the first track athlete to reach the milestone. Running in the men’s 200m, Lyles produced a powerful finish to edge Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo in 19.74 seconds, winning by just 0.02.
“This is the most important part — staying calm and getting the win,” Lyles said. “Six in a row feels amazing.”
Although he settled for bronze in the Paris Olympics 200m, Lyles now looks in peak form to defend his 100m and 200m world titles in Tokyo.
Tebogo acknowledged Lyles’ renewed focus, saying: “He’s more humble now. In this sport, you win today, but tomorrow can be different. He understands that.”
Alfred Returns Strong in Women’s 100m
Julien Alfred, Olympic 100m champion, made a confident comeback after a short injury break, winning in 10.76 seconds. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton finished second (10.84), followed by Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (10.94).
“I’m not thinking about the time, just progress,” Alfred said. “I feel mentally and physically ready for Tokyo.”
Other Highlights from Zurich
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Men’s 100m: American Christian Coleman won in 9.97 seconds, narrowly beating Akani Simbine (9.98) and Ackeem Blake (9.99).
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Women’s 200m: Brittany Brown (USA) clocked a season-best 22.13, with Asher-Smith second (22.18).
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400m Hurdles: Femke Bol (Netherlands) extended her unbeaten Diamond League run to 30 races, winning in 52.18. Norway’s Karsten Warholm also impressed with a meet record 46.70.
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Hurdles: American Cordell Tinch matched a long-standing meet record with 12.92 in the 110m hurdles. Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent claimed the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.30.
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Middle Distances: Dutch talent Niels Laros ran a national record 3:29.20 in the 1500m. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi held off strong challengers to win the men’s 800m in 1:42.37.
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400m Sprint: Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser won in 48.70, while Jacory Patterson (USA) recorded a personal best 43.85 in the men’s event.
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Javelin Throw: Germany’s Julian Weber produced a world-leading 91.51m, finishing ahead of India’s Neeraj Chopra.
Road to Tokyo
With 26 Diamond League champions crowned in Zurich, athletes now turn their focus to the World Championships in Tokyo, where the world’s best will battle for glory. The Zurich finale offered the perfect stage for champions to sharpen their form and gain momentum.
