Diamond League Doha: Clayton Twins Shine in Sprint Events

The Doha Diamond League meet saw impressive performances from athletes around the world, including standout wins in the sprint and throwing events.

The Clayton twins stole the show at the Doha Diamond League meet on Friday, with Tia edging out her twin sister Tina in the women's 100 meters. Tia clocked an impressive 10.92 seconds, a world-leading time that left Tina 0.1 seconds behind. Tina, who finished second, narrowly held off Britain's Amy Hunt, who ran a personal best but finished third, just one-hundredth of a second behind Tina.

In the men's events, Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo had a nail-biting win in the 200 meters, nearly throwing away the victory near the finish line. Meanwhile, Kenyan athletes Cheruiyot and Cherotich claimed top spots in their respective events, showcasing their dominance on the track.

“I made the world-leading mark, but honestly, I didn't do the best possible because I couldn't do the start I always get,” Tia said.

“But other than that, it was a great race for me. It is very special for me and my twin sister to finish first and second in this event tonight.”

The Clayton twins, who are training partners, put aside their sisterly bond when they compete against each other. According to Tina, “When we line up for a race, we are no longer sisters, we are rival competitors.”

Despite the fierce competition, Tina expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “But after the race is over, it feels really good to make the top two places.” This mindset highlights the twins' focus and determination on the track.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a two-time 100m Olympic champion, finished fourth in her return to the Diamond League in Doha, where she won the world title six years ago. The 38-year-old Jamaican sprinter couldn't replicate her past success, failing to make the podium.

In the men's 200m final, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana secured a narrow victory, clocking 20.10 seconds. Starting from lane seven, Tebogo dominated the early stages but eased up towards the finish, nearly costing him the win. A cheeky glance at American rival Courtney Lindsey, who finished second just 0.01 seconds behind, added to the drama of the close finish.

Jamaicaaaaaa 🔥

The Clayton twins go 1-2 in the women's 100m in Doha as Tia Clayton runs the fastest time in the world this year with 10.92 ⚡️ @realshellyannfp clocks 11.04 for 4th place.

📸@GorczynskaMarta#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/ZHExCMylBs

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) May 16, 2025

Javelin Thriller: Weber Edges Chopra

Germany's Julian Weber outdid India's Neeraj Chopra in a thrilling javelin contest, with Weber's final throw of 91.06 meters edging out Chopra's impressive personal best and national record of 90.23 meters. Chopra had set the stage on fire earlier with a world-leading 88.44 meters in his first throw, before surpassing the 90-meter mark in the third round.

Despite Chopra's remarkable achievement, Weber's final effort proved decisive, showcasing the German athlete's skill and consistency. The narrow margin of victory highlighted the intense competition between these two top-tier javelin throwers.

The evening's action kicked off with impressive performances. Paris silver medalist Salwa Eid Naser dominated the women's 400 meters, winning in 49.83 seconds and tying the meet record. In the men's 800 meters, Tshepiso Masalela claimed victory, showcasing his speed and endurance.

In the pole vault, Britain's Molly Caudery secured her first win of the season with a notable performance. She stood out as the only athlete to clear 4.75 meters, demonstrating her skill and technique in the event.

Kenyan Double Victory

Reynold Cheruiyot thrilled the Kenyan crowd with a stunning victory in the men's 5,000 meters, just his second career race. The 20-year-old accelerated in the final lap, taking the lead in the last 200 meters to cross the line in 13:16.40. A nail-biting finish saw South Sudan's Dominic Lobalu and Bahrain's Birhanu Balew finish second and third, respectively, with the outcome decided by a photo finish.

In the women's 3,000 meters steeplechase, Faith Cherotich claimed victory with a dramatic late surge, outpacing Paris gold medalist Winfred Yavi in the final meters. The Kenyan fans erupted in cheers as Cherotich secured the win, adding to the excitement of the evening's events.