English
German
Three years after its last edition, Weltklasse Zürich returned to Sechseläutenplatz on Wednesday evening for a “celebration of field events”. 7,000 enthusiastic fans cheered on Simon Ehammer, who won his second Diamond Trophy in the long jump, and Nicola Olyslagers, who set an Oceania record in the best high jump competition of the year.
At 6:52 p.m., everything came together: the crowd, the wind, the run-up, the take-off, the flight phase and the landing allowed Simon Ehammer to put on a flight show. The result: for the first time ever, the Appenzell native achieved an 8-metre jump at Weltklasse Zurich. He clearly surpassed the magical long jump mark, landing at 8.32 metres – a leap into great happiness. Not only for the decathlete himself, who won the overall Wanda Diamond League title for the second time after 2023. The result also represents a long-awaited premiere at Weltklasse Zürich. Never before had a Swiss star won a Diamond League event, which has existed since 2010, in the city by the Limmat.
The crowd erupted, draping the freshly crowned champion in a sea of flags. Little wonder Ehammer called it a truly special moment: “In front of this crowd, I was able to forget my previous struggles at Weltklasse Zürich.” He added that the bad luck of past meetings were worth it to finally taste victory on such a stage.
For the high-flyer, the air is getting thinner
Getting a feel for the setup with a “tester jump,” skipping heights, and then clearing the decisive bars without struggles – that’s how people have come to know Mondo Duplantis’ performances. But gradually, a rival is edging up on him: Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis. Both cleared 6.00 m – Duplantis on his first attempt, Karalis on his second. But at 6.10m, the Swede’s usual composure was missing, as he produced three failures, just like his Greek challenger. Could this be a prelude to a thrilling showdown at the upcoming World Championships? The podium was completed by Sam Kendricks (USA).
U.S. number 4 is number 1 Wanda Diamond League Final
Shot putter Joe Kovacs turned his fond memories of Sechseläutenplatz into another major triumph. He had already won here in 2022 – with a put that still stands as his personal best and keeps him the second-best thrower of all time: 23.23m. On Wednesday, with 22.46m, the American of Hungarian descent secured his fourth Diamond Trophy. Even though he finished “only” fourth at the recent U.S. Trials – and thus likely won’t appear at the World Championships in Tokyo – he remains this year’s No. 1 in the world’s premier competition series.
Women’s high jump: Down under on top
It was the expected duel for Zurich’s Sechseläutenplatz: Yaroslava Mahuchikh versus Nicola Olyslagers – but with a surprise winner. Unlike at the Olympics in 2021 and 2024, it wasn’t Mahuchikh who prevailed, but the two-time Olympic silver medalist Olyslagers. The Ukrainian world record holder and the Australian world indoor champion staged a battle at the highest level. Both cleared every height up to 2.02m on their first attempt, but then Mahuchikh faltered. She managed a season’s best of 2.02m, but for the three-time Diamond League champion, 2.06m was the end of the road.
Just moments earlier, Olyslagers had soared higher than any woman this year – and higher than any woman from “Down Under” ever before: 2.04m. A national record, an Oceania record, crowned with her first Diamond Trophy. The electrifying atmosphere also lifted Morgan Lake (GBR), who finished third. The former U20 world champion in heptathlon and high jump became the first Briton ever to clear the magical 2-meter barrier.
Women’s Pole Vault: U.S. Sweep in Downtown Zurich
The women’s pole vault final had already taken place in the afternoon. Katie Moon, the 2021 Olympic champion and reigning world champion, was the only one to clear 4.82m. “The crowd gave me the extra energy I needed,” said the first-time Weltklasse Zürich winner after claiming her second Diamond Trophy (the first in Eugene 2023).
Her compatriots Sandi Morris and Emily Grove (both 4.75m) completed the U.S. sweep in downtown Zurich. “Best of the rest” was local favorite Angelica Moser of LC Zürich, who had taken the S-Bahn from home to the venue. Still recovering from the Swiss Championships, where she had cleared 4.80m, the European champion had to settle for 4.65m – and, just like last year, fourth place.