Diamond League in Xiamen: Shericka Jackson's Victory and Warholm vs. Dos Santos Showdown
At the Chinese leg on May 23, the Jamaican sprinter won the 200m, while Norway's Karsten Warholm and Brazil's Alison dos Santos continued their duel in the hurdles.
Diamond League in Xiamen: Shericka Jackson Shines, Warholm Falls to Dos Santos Again
Date: May 23, 2026
Event: World Athletics Diamond League, second leg of the 2026 season
Venue: Egret Stadium, Xiamen, China
Prize fund: Over $9 million USD (entire series over $9 million)
Main Event
On May 23, 2026, the second leg of the prestigious Diamond League athletics series took place at the Egret Stadium in Xiamen, China. The evening was packed with standout results and the continuation of key rivalries that have set the tone for the entire season.
The biggest star in women's sprinting was once again Jamaican runner Shericka Jackson, who dominated the 200 meters. In the men's events, the highlight was the latest chapter in the epic rivalry in the 400m hurdles: Brazil's Alison dos Santos defeated Olympic champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway for the second time in eight days.
The Xiamen leg, like the one in Shanghai a week earlier, confirmed the high status of Chinese meets in the Diamond League calendar. Athletes posted several world-leading times, and Chinese fans witnessed a historic achievement by a young compatriot.
Details and Statistics
Shericka Jackson: Queen of the 200m
The women's 200m was dominated by Shericka Jackson. The two-time world champion over the distance showed stunning form, finishing in 21.87 seconds.
This result set a new meet record in Xiamen and was just 0.01 seconds off the world-leading time set earlier by another Jamaican runner. Notably, Jackson was the only finalist to break 22 seconds.
Second place went to veteran Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas (22.04 seconds), while American Anavia Battle took third (22.29 seconds). Jackson's main rival, Olympic 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson, surprisingly finished only fourth in 22.38 seconds.
Dos Santos vs. Warholm: The Duel Continues
In the men's 400m hurdles, the two titans of the event clashed again: reigning Olympic champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm and his main challenger Alison dos Santos. As in Shanghai a week earlier over the non-Olympic 300m distance, the Brazilian emerged victorious.
Dos Santos clocked 46.72 seconds, a world-leading time. Warholm was 0.10 seconds behind with 46.82 seconds. The key moment came at the end of the race: the Norwegian, known for his phenomenal finishing kick, made a technical error at the last two hurdles, allowing dos Santos to snatch the win.
"I feel great. I always try to build speed by the 300-meter mark. You can't go all out at the start, so I'm happy with my time," commented Alison dos Santos on his victory.
Masai Russell: Second Fastest in History
Another landmark event of the evening was the women's 100m hurdles. American Masai Russell posted a phenomenal time of 12.14 seconds.
This is not only a new US record and Diamond League record but also the second-fastest time in history over the distance. Only Nigeria's Tobi Amusan has run faster, setting the world record of 12.12 seconds in 2024. This time, Amusan finished second with 12.28 seconds.
Yan Ziyi: Historic Throw
18-year-old Chinese javelin thrower Yan Ziyi, competing at her home leg, caused a sensation. In her Diamond League debut, she launched the javelin 71.74 meters.
This result became:
- World U20 record
- Chinese record
- Meet record
- Second-best performance in history behind the world record of Czech Barbora Špotáková (72.28 meters).
Yan Ziyi surpassed the Olympic champion Osleidys Menéndez of Cuba (71.70 meters) and now ranks second on the all-time list of best javelin throwers.
Context and Significance
The rivalry between Alison dos Santos and Karsten Warholm has been the central storyline in world hurdles for several years. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Brazilian won bronze, while the Norwegian took silver (gold went to American Rai Benjamin). Now, in the Olympic season of 2026 (the Games will be held in Brisbane, Australia), dos Santos looks stronger: two starts, two wins over his main rival.
Shericka Jackson, who missed the Paris Olympics due to injury, has returned to peak form and is targeting gold in Brisbane. Her 21.87 seconds in May is an excellent early-season benchmark.
As for 18-year-old Chinese Yan Ziyi, her 71.74m throw is a statement of intent for future world dominance. At 18, she has already thrown farther than most Olympic champions in history. If she maintains her progress, Barbora Špotáková's world record from 2008 could fall as early as this season.
What's Next / Next Leg Preview
The third leg of the Diamond League will take place on May 31, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco. It is expected to bring together the world's best athletes again, likely including the trio of dos Santos, Warholm, and Benjamin, who may finally compete together.
The Diamond League final is scheduled for September in Brussels.
Editorial Forecast
The Warholm vs. dos Santos rivalry is only heating up. The Brazilian currently looks more confident and consistent: he has won both Chinese meets and seems to have found the key to the Norwegian's tactics. However, Warholm is a fighter with a champion's mentality, and his errors at the finish in Xiamen are more likely a fluke than a pattern. The editorial team predicts that in Rabat (May 31), the Norwegian will take revenge. But the main event everyone is waiting for is their head-to-head at the Brisbane Olympics this summer. The favorite there is yet to be determined.
— Editorial Team
