Dutch shot put star Jessica Schilder will take her first step towards defending her Diamond League title at the second meeting of the season in Shanghai/Keqiao on May 16.
Schilder enjoyed the most successful season of her career in 2025, claiming four Diamond League wins en route to her first series title.
She began 2025 with a meeting record of 20.47m at the Diamond League season opener in Xiamen and ended it with the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 27-year-old made a habit of snatching last-gasp victories, winning with her final throw at both the Monaco Diamond League and the World Championships.
She now returns to China as the reigning world, Diamond League and European champion, and will be hoping to wrest the number one spot from Chase Jackson in the world rankings in 2026.
“I can´t wait to start my Diamond League season in Keqiao this year after such a special season last year,” she said.
“I look forward to return to China and specially to the Shanghai Diamond League to put on a great show together with the girls. I hope to see you all in the stadium on May 16!”
Shanghai/Keqiao is the second leg of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League, which begins in Doha on May 8 and ends at the two-day series final in Brussels on September 4-5.
The series unites the biggest names in track and field in some of the world’s most iconic arenas, crossing four continents and 15 cities over the course of the season.
