The battle for supremacy in the men's discus will continue in Stockholm on June 2nd, as Sweden's serial champion Daniel Ståhl takes on the new world record holder Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania.
Alekna stunned the world when he broke the oldest standing world record in men's track and field in Oklahoma last week, throwing 74.35m to beat Jürgen Schult's previous best of 74.08m, set in 1986.
The performance effectively turbo-charged Alekna's rise to prominence in recent years, in an event which has largely been dominated by Ståhl and Slovenian rival Kristjan Čeh. The new world record holder will now be hoping to build on his success in athletics' premier one-day series, and claim a first ever win on the Diamond League circuit in 2024.
"I have had a superb season opening and the world record last week was something special. I'm looking forward to coming to Europe and throwing in Stockholm. I hope I can make a bit over 70 meters there," said Alekna.
Reigning world and Olympic champion Ståhl is hoping to regain the Diamond League title for the first time since 2021 this year, as he also sets his sights on a second Olympic title in Paris.
The Swede was full of praise for his rising star rival ahead of their clash in Stockholm: "It's great that he broke a 38-year-old record. He is a technical and fast thrower, who has no quirks about him."
The Wanda Diamond League is the premier one-day meeting series in athletics. It comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field. Athletes compete for points at the 14 series meetings in a bid to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on 13th-14th September.
