World leading results were set in Xiamen Diamond League.

XIAMEN, China, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Karsten Warholm concluded a remarkable week in Xiamen by setting a world best of 33.05 seconds in the newly-introduced 300m hurdles at the 2025 Diamond League opener on Saturday, while Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis defended his title, though not in peak form.

Warholm began his first visit to China and Xiamen a week earlier, having skipped the indoor season to focus on training for the 300m hurdles and aimed to surpass his own world-leading mark of 33.26 seconds. The men's 300m hurdles was the final event of the day, where the Olympic champion led from start to finish, achieving his goal with an impressive time of 33.05 seconds.

"It was a very good race, very good atmosphere, I just tried to run as fast as possible," said the 400m hurdles world record holder. "I came early to have a very good training session on Tuesday. I really enjoyed the city and the weather here, and the people have been so good to me, so it was a very good week in Xiamen."

Matheus Lima of Brazil took silver with a time of 33.98 seconds, while Japan's Ken Toyoda finished third in 34.22 seconds.

Duplantis defended his title in a less than ideal manner, securing victory with a height of 5.92 meters after three jumps but failed all three attempts when raising the bar to 6.01 meters.

"It was not the easiest day. We had a little bit of trouble with the wind, but overall it was a great fun," said the 25-year-old, who set the world record of 6.24 meters at the same event last year.

Other pole vaulters also faced challenges, as Greece's Emmanouil Karalis and Menno Vloon of the Netherlands both reached the podium with less impressive heights of 5.82 meters.

In the women's high jump, Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh, despite failing all three attempts at 2.03 meters, claimed the title for being the only competitor to clear 1.97 meters. Australia's Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers tied for second and third with heights of 1.94 meters.

Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya won women's 1000m in two minutes and 29.32 seconds, only 0.23 seconds shy of the world record.

"I wanted to do my personal best, and it was very close to the world record. It was a very good start to my season," said Kipyegon.

In men's long jump, Zhang Mingkun leaped 8.18 meters to win a gold medal for team China. "It was my first time in Xiamen and competing in such a high-level event. I didn't jump well initially, but luckily I found my rhythm on the fifth attempt," said Zhang.

Olympic silver medalist Zhu Yaming, however, was unable to secure his first Diamond League gold, as Jamaica's Jordan Scott achieved a personal best of 17.27 meters for victory. Zhu settled for silver with a leap of 17.03 meters on his fourth attempt.

In the women's shot put, 36-year-old veteran Gong Lijiao recorded a season-best throw of 19.62 meters in her third attempt. "I'm pretty satisfied with my result, although I know I could have done better to break 20 meters. Consistency is key to avoiding injuries, which is my biggest challenge at 36 years old," said the Olympic champion.

Liu Junxi finished third in the men's 110m hurdles with a new personal best of 13.24 seconds, while Tinch Cordell of the United States won with a world-leading time of 13.06 seconds.

In women's 200m, 16-year-old Chen Yujie made a surprising Diamond League debut by sprinting to a time of 22.99 seconds, setting a new Asian Youth record. Meanwhile, South African sprinter Akani Simbine clocked 9.99 seconds to win the men's 100m, with home favorite Xie Zhenye finishing eighth with a season-best time of 10.23 seconds.