Chebet, Duplantis, Jackson shine in Diamond League opener in China

Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet triumphed in her distance duel with Gudaf Tesgay, Mondo Duplantis won the pole vault and Shericka Jackson finished second on her return to the track as the 2025 Diamond League season got underway on Saturday in Xiamen, China.

Sweden's Duplantis was the headline act at the Egret Stadium but there was to be no repeat of his record-breaking feats in Xiamen last year as he failed with three attempts at 6.01 meters to win with a jump of 5.92, well short of his world mark of 6.24.

With five months until the season peaks at the world championships in Tokyo in September, many athletes are still testing their bodies in competition after winter training.

Chebet was delighted with how she came through her race against world record holder Tesgay and nine other Ethiopians in the women's 5,000m after pulling away down the home straight to win in 14 minutes and 27.12 seconds.

"The season is still new and I was not sure where the body is so I just thought I'd try to push because there were a lot of Ethiopians there," she said.

"Thank God I was able to run good, my speed is still there, my 200 reaction is still there, so I'll go back home and do more training and focus on the world championships."

South African Akani Simbine and American Anavia Battle confirmed their fine early season form with victories in the showcase sprint races.

WATCH | South Africa's  Simbine fastest in the 100m:

South Africa's Akani Simbine fastest in the 100m in Xiamen China

Simbine leads the world in the 100m so far this year and he powered to victory in 9.99 seconds ahead of Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala (10.13) and world indoor sprint champion Jeremiah Azu of Briton (10.17).

Battle, the only woman to run under 11 seconds in