According to official meeting results, multiple records fell during the 50th edition of the Memorial Van Damme Diamond League final, where Brazilian hurdler Alison dos Santos clocked 46″70 in the 400-meter hurdles to claim a meeting record, while Belgian athletes faced tough competition on home soil.
Alison dos Santos Dominates the 400m Hurdles
Alison dos Santos lived up to his favorite status at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. According to meeting reports, the Brazilian athlete sprinted to victory in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 46″70, breaking the meeting record in the final running event of the evening.
American competitor Trevor Bassitt secured second place with a time of 48″03, while compatriot Matheus Lima took third in 48″18, according to the official event data.
Werro Outduels Broeders-Bol in 800-Meter Thriller
The women’s 800-meter event delivered intense racing as Swiss runner Audrey Werro crossed the line first in 1’54″75. According to athletics analysts, Werro pushed hard on world-record pace during the first lap before having to fight off a late charge from Netherlands competitor Femke Broeders-Bol in the final straightaway.
Broeders-Bol finished second in 1’54″81, earning a meeting record in the process, while Ethiopian runner Saida Tehaye claimed third place in 1’57″57, according to track results.
Did you know? The 50th edition of the Memorial Van Damme was split across two days for the first time as part of the Diamond League finale celebrations in Brussels, drawing international stars alongside top Belgian competitors.
Belgian Competitors Struggle for Podiums
Local athletes faced challenging fields across multiple disciplines. According to post-event statements, sprinter Delphine Nkansa finished ninth and last in the 100-meter dash with an 11″29 time, keeping Kim Gevaert’s 20-year-old Belgian record intact. Tina Clayton of Jamaica won the race in 10″93.
In high jump events, Nafi Thiam and Merel Maes both failed to clear 1,88 meters, ending their competition early. Meanwhile, pole vaulter Elien Vekemans missed the 4,70-meter mark, and Helena Ponette finished eighth in the 400-meter race with a time of 51″41, according to official match records.
Global Stars Secure World-Leads and Meeting Marks
International competitors rewrote the record books throughout the two-day meeting. According to official track results, Birhanu Balew of Bahrain won the 5.000m event in a world-leading 12’45″70. In the women’s 1,500 meters, Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska surprised the field with a world-leading time and personal best of 3’54″05.
Additional winners included Masai Russell, who captured the 100-meter hurdles in 12″20, and American sprinter Kenneth Bednarek, who equaled his world-leading time of 19″62 in the 200-meter dash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 400-meter hurdles at the Memorial Van Damme?
Alison dos Santos of Brazil won the event in a meeting record time of 46″70.
Did Delphine Nkansa break the Belgian 100-meter record?
No, Kim Gevaert’s record remains unbeaten after Nkansa finished ninth in 11″29.
What was the highlight of the women’s 800-meter race?
Audrey Werro won in 1’54″75, narrowly holding off Femke Broeders-Bol, who finished second in 1’54″81.
Stay Updated on Diamond League Athletics
Want more breaking sports coverage and live updates? Explore our latest articles or share your thoughts in the comments below.
Worth a look