1. Almaz Ayana explodes in Shanghai
Few would have backed Almaz Ayana to challenge for the Diamond Trophy at the start of the season, but the former steeplechaser shocked the world in the 5000m in Shanghai, running the third quickest time in history and gathering four points. Ayana has since fallen six points behind Genzebe Dibaba in the Diamond Race, but it was a performance which let the watching world know that the younger Ethiopian is capable of anything. If not this year, then next year will surely be a huge chance to get her hands on the Diamond Trophy.
<link https: youtu.be _blank>WATCH highlights of Ayana at Shanghai here
2. Zhang Guowei takes a shock win in Oslo
Prior to Oslo, all was going as planned for Mutaz Essa Barshim as he sought to defend his Diamond Trophy from 2014. Victories in Shanghai and Eugene had put him well ahead of the chasing pack, and the received wisdom was that if the Qatari could hold off familiar rival Bohdan Bondarenko in Norway, dominance in the Diamond Race would be secured. As it transpired, Bondarenko slumped in Oslo, and Barshim followed him. Both were outperformed by Zhang Guowei. The Chinese' victory – celebrated with some extravagant gyration on the bed – dramatically changed the course of this Diamond Race: Barshim hasn't taken four points since. He remains ahead, but the lead is perhaps not as comfortable as one might have expected it to be at this stage.
<link https: youtu.be _blank>WATCH highlights of Zhang's Oslo victory here
3. Wayde van Niekerk beats Kirani James in Paris
Kirani James look all set to storm to a second consecutive Diamond Trophy this year, particularly with his old rival Lashawn Merritt having failed to impose himself on 2015. The Meeting Areva in Paris, though, marked a major turning point, not only in this year's Diamond Race, but also potentially in the history of the men's 400m. South African Wayde van Niekerk ran the first sub-44 second time of his career, and in doing so denied James the chance to consolidate an already strong lead. The South African followed it up with another victory in London, and is now just two points behind the James in second place. From a one horse race, the men's 400m has become one of the most exciting contests of the season.
<link https: youtu.be _blank>WATCH Wayde van Niekerk speaking after victory in Paris
4. Christian Taylor beats Pedro Pichardo in Lausanne
It is perhaps too difficult to pick one moment out of this season long battle in the men's triple jump. Pichardo and Taylor have both been outstanding in 2015, and it has made for a thrilling Diamond Race. Lausanne was crucial in this respect, because with Pichardo six points ahead, Taylor absolutely had to take the victory. He wasn't going to be handed it on a silver platter, either. Pichardo was jumping superbly, making 17.99, but Taylor was up to the task. 18.06m took the win, and the follow up victory in Monaco meant that he is now only two points behind the Cuban. The prospect of the final in Brussels is simply mouth-watering.
<link https: youtu.be _blank>WATCH highlights of Taylor and Pichardo's Lausanne showdown here
5. Sharika Nelvis wins the 100m hurdles in Monaco and moves on to ten points
On paper, this was not one of the most thrilling moments of this year's IAAF Diamond League so far. Sharika Nelvis' victory in Monaco came in the absence of many of the leading names in her discipline, and her achievement was rightly overshadowed by Genzebe Dibaba's world record at Herculis. Yet for those interested in the long game, this victory was a huge moment. It meant that, with only the Brussels final left to compete, the 100m hurdles Diamond Race is now led by three different women. Nelvis, Jasmin Stowers and Dawn Harper Nelson all have two victories and a second place to their name; they are all on ten points, with absolutely nothing to separate them. As foundations for a thrilling final go, you can't get much better than that.
<link https: youtu.be _blank>WATCH highlights of the Herculis meeting in Monaco here
