Adnaan Mohamed
South African sprinter Gift Leotlela produced a major statement at the opening meeting of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League season after storming to victory in the men’s 100m in Shanghai on Saturday.
Leotlela clocked 9.97 seconds in a race decided by the narrowest of margins, with the top three separated by hundredths of a second in a dramatic photo finish.
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala took second in 9.98 after being added late to the field, while American sprinter Kenny Bednarek matched that time for third place.
It marked the first Diamond League victory of Leotlela’s career and continued a strong rise for the South African, who carried a personal best of 9.87 into the meeting.
“It means a lot to win my first-ever Diamond League,” Leotlela said afterwards.
“It is a first time in China for me, so to finish number one was a great feeling. I wanted to come here and enjoy myself and make a good start to the season.”
Leotlela said he focused more on execution than the clock in a field packed with proven international performers.
“I knew I am in great shape, but I didn’t want to think about time, just focus on my race. I had a decent start, not great. I just tried to keep my composure, stay in my rhythm and stay strong.”
The performance will strengthen belief that Leotlela can challenge consistently on the global stage this season, particularly with major championships looming later in the year.
“The main goal for me in 2026 is to win the Commonwealth Games and then on to the Ultimate Championships at the end of the season,” he said.
South Africa’s Akani Simbine finished sixth in 10.05, while Botswana Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo crossed seventh in 10.12 after balancing 100m and 400m races earlier this season.
The 2026 Wanda Diamond League season continues in Xiamen on 23 May before travelling to stops including Rome, Paris, London and Zurich ahead of the final in Brussels on 4 and 5 September 2026.
2026 Wanda Diamond League Fixtures
- May 23: Xiamen
- May 31: Rabat
- June 4: Rome
- June 7: Stockholm
- June 10: Oslo
- June 19: Doha
- June 28: Paris
- July 4: Eugene
- July 10: Monaco
- July 18: London
- August 21: Lausanne
- August 23: Silesia
- August 27: Zurich
- September 4–5: Brussels (Final)