Nothing is certain this early in the season, but with old and new faces alike getting early points on the board, the stage is set for some exhilarating battles for this year's Diamond Trophies.
Rivalries
All eyes were on the high jump in Shanghai, with Mutaz Essa Barshim and Bohdan Bondarenko resuming their IAAF Diamond League rivalry at the first opportunity. The two men rarely miss chance to face each other, having faced each other ten times in the last two IAAF Diamond League seasons alone. It was Barshim who spilled first blood, picking up four points and the world lead in Shanghai.
In the men's 400m, too, there was a much anticipated rivalry. Kirani James and LaShawn Merritt have had some memorable battles in recent years, and were expected to go head to head in the Diamond Race this year. Merritt will have some catching up to do after the opening meeting, though, with James storming to a clear victory in Shanghai. With Merritt only able to muster a third place finish, the Grenadian now has a three point lead over his rival.
Surprise packages
This was not just a weekend for the recognised rivalries, however. Doha and Shanghai also saw a whole host of lesser known athletes make an early mark in the Diamond Race points table.
Virginia Nyambura picked up a shock victory at the women's 3000m steeplechase in Doha. The designated pacemaker left reigning Diamond Race champion Hiwot Ayalew to make do with only two points from her first appearance.
Pedro Pablo Pichardo (triple jump) set a IAAF Diamond League record with his 18.06m jump in Doha, and thus took an early Diamond Race lead over Christian Taylor . Pichardo, along with Dawit Seyaum (1500m), Airine Palsyte (high jump) and Jasmin Stowers (100m hurdles), now tops the Diamond Race standings for the first time ever.
There were more four more surprising Diamond Race leaders after Shanghai. Lijao Gong (shot put) and Lu Huihui (javelin) took advantage of home conditions to pick up their maximums, while Nikoleta Kiriakopoulou (pole vault) also made early progress.
But the biggest surprise of all was undoubtedly 23 year old Almaz Ayana. The Ethiopian stormed to a shock win in the women's 5000m to take home not only four Diamond Race points, but also the third fastest time in history, and the all time second best IAAF Diamond League performance in a women's event.
Big statements
It was, nonetheless, a good weekend for many of the bigger names. Tianna Bartoletta (long jump), Sandra Perkovic (discus) and Allyson Felix (200m) all secured four points in Doha. While in Shanghai, Caterine Ibarguen (triple jump), Piotr Malachowski (discus), Kaliese Spencer (400m hurdles), Silas Kiplagat (1500m), Jairus Birech (3000m steeplechase), Eunice Sum (800m) and Alonso Edward (200m) all started their defences of their Diamond Trophies with a win.
It was in the 100m races, however, that the biggest statements were made. Justin Gatlin was dominant in Doha, while newly married Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor destroyed a competitive field in Shanghai to take an early points lead, as she seeks to win her first ever Diamond Trophy.
