African Athletes Shine at 2026 Diamond League Final in Brussels

Posted : 07 September 2026

The 2026 Diamond League Final in Brussels provided another strong showcase of African athletics, with athletes from across the continent claiming titles, podium places and notable performances over two days of competition.

Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi was among the biggest African winners, successfully defending his Diamond League Final title in the men’s 800m. The Olympic champion produced a superb 1:41.80 to set a meeting record, while Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati followed in second with 1:42.71, giving Africa a one-two finish.

Botswana also celebrated a major success through Collen Kebinatshipi in the men’s 400m. The 22-year-old retained his Diamond League crown with a remarkable 43.40 seconds, improving the Diamond League record he had already broken earlier in the season. South Africa’s Zakithi Nene finished sixth in 44.44.

The men’s 5000m produced another African victory, with Ethiopian-born Birhanu Balew taking first place in a world-leading 12:45.70. Burundi’s Egide Ntakarutimana secured silver in a national-record 12:46.73, while Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi finished third in 12:47.29. Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary was fourth, underlining the depth of African distance running.

Ethiopia also dominated the 3000m steeplechase podium. Getahun Godana won in 8:08.67, with Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, the Olympic and world champion, taking silver in 8:10.03. Kenya’s Shadrack Koech completed the all-African podium in 8:11.15.

African women also made their presence felt. Kenya’s Dorcus Ewoi finished runner-up in the 1500m with a personal best of 3:54.72, while Ethiopia’s Saida Tsehaye claimed third in the women’s 800m in 1:57.57.

The sprint programme delivered another memorable African performance. South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile won silver in the men’s 200m after clocking 19.89 seconds. Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba took bronze in 19.99, while Botswana’s Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo finished fourth in 20.01.

Dambile’s result was particularly significant because it marked his first victory over Tebogo after nine previous defeats against the Botswana star.

Africa also featured prominently in the men’s 100m. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme secured silver in 9.93 seconds, while Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi took bronze in 9.97. South Africa’s Gift Leotlela and Akani Simbine finished fifth and seventh respectively.

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan narrowly missed the podium in the women’s 100m hurdles. The former world record-holder ran 12.54 seconds to finish fourth, with Masai Russell taking the Diamond League title in 12.20.

Overall, the Brussels final highlighted Africa’s considerable strength across sprinting, middle-distance events and long-distance disciplines. From Wanyonyi’s continued dominance in the 800m to Kebinatshipi’s record-breaking 400m performance and the all-African steeplechase podium, the continent produced several of the weekend’s defining performances.

Key African Results

Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya) — 800m gold, 1:41.80
Collen Kebinatshipi (Botswana) — 400m gold, 43.40
Birhanu Balew (Ethiopian-born/Bahrain) — 5000m gold, 12:45.70
Getahun Godana (Ethiopia) — 3000m steeplechase gold, 8:08.67
Djamel Sedjati (Algeria) — 800m silver, 1:42.71
Sinesipho Dambile (South Africa) — 200m silver, 19.89
Emmanuel Eseme (Cameroon) — 100m silver, 9.93
Egide Ntakarutimana (Burundi) — 5000m silver, 12:46.73
Makanakaishe Charamba (Zimbabwe) — 200m bronze, 19.99
Kayinsola Ajayi (Nigeria) — 100m bronze, 9.97
Cornelius Kemboi (Kenya) — 5000m bronze, 12:47.29
Shadrack Koech (Kenya) — 3000m steeplechase bronze, 8:11.15
Dorcus Ewoi (Kenya) — 1500m silver, 3:54.72
Tobi Amusan (Nigeria) — 100m hurdles fourth, 12.54

African Athletes Shine at 2026 Diamond League Final in Brussels

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