Men’s Jumps
Having surrendered his Diamond Trophy to Erik Kynard in 2016, Mutaz Essa Barshim was back with a bang in the men’s high jump, dominating at every turn and never letting the title out of his sight. Even after the World Championships, Barshim was as brilliant as ever, most notably putting in a brilliant performance in Birmingham.
In the men’s pole vault, Renaud Lavillenie failed to win the Diamond Trophy for the first time since the competition’s inauguration in 2010. After seven titles in a row, the Frenchman was finally beaten to the Diamond League crown by Sam Kendricks, who rewarded his own consistency with victory in the Final.
There was to be no defeating another Diamond League legend in the men’s triple jump, as Christian Taylor eased to a sixth consecutive Diamond Trophy. Despite some fine competition from old rival and compatriot Will Claye, the American was once again the standout jumper, even breaking a Diamond League record in Eugene.
The men’s long jump saw South African legend Luvo Manyonga dominate in all competitions, and the IAAF Diamond League was no exception. After claiming gold at the World Championships, Manyonga soared to yet another victory in the IAAF Diamond League Final.
Women’s Jumps
It had been four Diamond Trophies in a row before 2017 for Caterine Ibargüen, and the Colombian was confident of securing a fifth this year. It didn’t quite go as planned, however, as she engaged in a ferocious competition with Yulimar Rojas, before both of them were beaten in the Final by surprise winner Olga Rypakova.
After picking up her first Diamond Trophy and Olympic Gold last season, Katerina Stefanidi continued her remarkable form this year. The Greek was crowned World Champion before successfully defending her Diamond League title in the women’s pole vault.
After becoming the first Serbian to win the Diamond Trophy last season, Ivana Spanovic faced a tough battle to defend her title in 2017. She did so with aplomb, winning the women’s long jump in Brussels against the likes of Brittney Reese and Dariya Klishina.
Few athletes were as dominant in their discipline this year as Mariya Lasitskene in the women’s high jump. From the word go, Lasitskene was unbeatable, often continuing long after all her competitors had failed to clear a particular height. She crowned a fine season with an inevitable Diamond Trophy in Brussels.
Women’s Throws
Gong Lijiao began a brilliant season on home turf with victory in Shanghai, and went on to dominate the women’s shot put in style. She capped a fine year with victory in Zürich and the Diamond Trophy
Stockholm provided one of the biggest shocks of the season, as Yaimé Perez beat Sandra Perkovic in the women’s discus, ending a winning streak in the Diamond League which stretched back to 2015. Perkovic, though, remains the consummate champion, and was unfazed by defeat, recovering to win a sixth consecutive Diamond Trophy.
For Barbora Spotakova, the World Championships were an extraordinary return to the top of the women’s javelin. Despite fierce competition from Sara Kolak, the Czech won a fifth Diamond Trophy in Zürich.
Men’s Throws
The men’s javelin Diamond Trophy looked destined for Germany this year, as Thomas Röhler set a Diamond League record in Doha, and Johannes Vetter was crowned World Champion in London. In the final, though, neither of the season’s two dominant throwers could take victory, as Jakub Vadlejch popped up at the last minute to defend the title he won last season.
There was also a surprise in the men’s shot put, where many had expected either the dominant Ryan Crouser or the World Champion Tom Walsh to take the Diamond Trophy. In the end, an astonishing personal best in the sixth round in Brussels saw Darrel Hill shock his competitors and claim the title.
At the beginning of the season, few would have had Andrius Gudzius on the radar as they were looking for the main man in the men’s discus. Yet the Lithuanian, who had become surprise World Champion weeks earlier, claimed the Diamond Trophy in Brussels to complete a brilliant season.