From first-time champions to maiden victories on the circuit, there were plenty of athletes celebrating their first Diamond League successes as a new generation started to elbow their way onto the biggest stage in 2021. Here are our top five first-timers from the season just gone.
Ryan Crouser – First Diamond Trophy
The US shot putter was one of 22 athletes who won their first career Diamond Trophy in 2021, but none of them had been waiting longer than Crouser. The 28-year-old has been among the elite of his discipline for years, and has suffered some narrow defeats in the Diamond League Final in that time. As well as a handful of epic battles with New Zealand rival Tom Walsh, he was also pipped at the post by compatriot Darrell Hill in a memorable final in Brussels city centre back in 2017. There was no stopping Crouser this time, though, as he entered the final as world record holder, Diamond League record holder and reigning Olympic champion, and cruised to his first title in Zurich.
Trayvon Bromell – First Diamond League Win
There were also plenty of athletes who celebrated their first single victory on the circuit this year, and among those who caused the biggest stir was US sprinter Trayvon Bromell. After victory in the US Olympic trials and a world lead of 9.77, there were high expectations of Bromell when he made his Diamond League debut in Monaco. He slumped to a disappointing defeat in the Stade Louis II, but bounced back just days later with victory in Gateshead.
Keely Hodgkinson – First Win, First Title
Very few athletes can boast of having won the Diamond Trophy with their first ever Diamond League win, but Britain’s rising middle-distance star Keely Hodgkinson is now one of them as she clocked 1:57.98 to win the women’s 800m in Zurich in September. After making her Diamond League debut in Doha at the beginning of the season, the 19-year-old qualified for the Final with a series of solid top-five finishes. She saved the best for last, however, beating the likes of Kate Grace and Natoya Goule to claim her first series win and her first series title in Zurich.
Francine Niyonsaba – National Hero
After disappointment at the Olympics, Francine Niyonsaba returned to action with a bang in the latter half of the Wanda Diamond League season, picking up impressive victories in Paris and Brussels to book her place in the Final. In Zurich, she cruised to victory in the 5000m on Sechseläutenplatz, becoming the first ever athlete from Burundi to win the Diamond Trophy. She returned home to a hero’s welcome, with fans lining the streets in Bujumbura to celebrate her victory.
Francine Niyonsaba has returned to a heroes welcome as she arrived back in Bujumbura, Burundi ??
Thousands took to the streets to get a glimpse of her Diamond League trophy. pic.twitter.com/tNvwaHmjcU
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) September 22, 2021
Christine Mboma – Queen of a Continent
2021 was a whirlwhind year for Namibian sprint star Christine Mboma. The 18-year-old only made her first appearance outside of Africa in June, but went on to claim her first Diamond League victory in Brussels before following up with another victory, the U20 world record and the 200m Diamond Trophy in Zurich. Not only did that make he Namibia’s first ever Diamond League champion, it also made her the first African woman to win the 200m title. “This means a lot to me. It means everything for my country, my continent and my people,” she said.