Freweyni Hailu and Gemechu Godana Crowned Champions at 2026 Diamond League Finals

The 2026 Wanda Diamond League concluded – following its final competitions held on September 4 and 5, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium – with the presentation of the Diamond League Trophy to the winning athletes in both the men’s and women’s categories. Two Ethiopians are among the 32 athletes who claimed the title of “Champion of the Year” at the Diamond League Final, the premier event in the global series of one-day athletics competitions. They are Freweyni Hailu, who won the women’s 5,000 meters, and Gemechu Godana, who triumphed in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 – DIAMOND LEAGUE FINALS DAY ONE

In the women’s 5,000 meter race, where six of the eleven finalists were Ethiopian, Freweyni Hailu triumphed with a remarkable finishing performance, clocking a time of 14:35.20. Ethiopian athletes swept the top three positions, with Likina Amebaw (14:36.31) and Senayet Getachew (14:37.09) finishing second and third, respectively. By effectively controlling the race and covering the final lap at an astonishing speed of 59.68 seconds, Freweyni secured her first Diamond League “Champion of the Year” tittle. The other Ethiopians participating in this race, Hirut Meshesha (14:37.84), Medina Eisa (14:39.40), and Marta Alemayo (14:40.27), finished fifth, eighth, and ninth, respectively.

In comments made to BizuAthletics following her Diamond League final victory, Freweyni said, “As I was 1500 meter runner, I believe that I am strong at finishing fast in the last 300 or 400 meters; I executed exactly the plan I had prepared for.”

Kena Tufa, Ethiopia’s sole representative in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final, finished seventh in 9:12.34 at the Diamond League Final in Brussels on Friday evening, bringing her 2026 competitive season to a close.

Speaking to BizuAthletics in Brussels after the race, Tufa reflected positively on a season in which she was able to gain valuable experience on the international stage.

“Last year, I did not have many opportunities to compete because of visa issues,” she said. “I am very happy that I was able to secure a visa this year, compete in major competitions for the first time, and qualify for the Diamond League Final.”

African athletes won five of the 16 final events held on the first day of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League in Brussels, with Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu being one of the five victors.

African athletes who won titles on the first day of the finals (Friday, September 4, 2026)

Men’s 400m: Collen Kebinatshipi (BOT)

Men’s 800m: Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN)

Women’s 5000m: Freweyni Hailu (ETH)

Women’s 3000m SC: Faith Cherotich (KEN)

Women’s triple jump: Saly Sarr (SEN)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 – DIAMOND LEAGUE FINALS DAY TWO

On the second day of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League final in Brussels, Ethiopian athletes competed in four events: the men’s 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase, and the women’s 1,500m and 800m. While African athletes had secured five Diamond Trophies on the first day of the finals, Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana was the only athlete on Saturday to win a trophy representing both his country and the continent. Gemechu became the season’s champion by defeating Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, who had dominated the men’s 3,000m steeplechase since 2017, for the second consecutive time.

Gemechu, who won the race with a time of 8:08.67, impressed many with his performance, particularly the way he accelerated while clearing the barriers flawlessly. Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali (8:10.03) and Kenya’s Simon Koech (8:11.15) finished second and third, respectively. Another Ethiopian participant in the race, Samuel Firewu (8:16.51), finished seventh.

Speaking to BizuAthletics after the race, Gemechu said, “I am very grateful to the organizers and the spectators for creating an environment that allowed me to showcase good form. I am overjoyed to have won a Diamond League event for the second time, and the final trophy at that, and to have confirmed my place among the world’s best athletes.”

In the men’s 5000m final, which featured Ethiopian athlete Biniam Mehary, Bahraini athlete Birhanu Balew, of Ethiopian origin, won the race by covering the final lap in 53.4 seconds and clocking 12:45.70, setting a new world lead and Asian record. Six athletes managed to finish the race in under 12 minutes and 50 seconds. Among them was Burundi’s Egide Ntakarutimana, who clocked 12:46.73, shaving more than nine seconds off his personal best and setting a new national record for his country. Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi finished third with a personal best of 12:47.29, while Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary finished fourth, recording his season’s best time of 12:47.78.

In brief comments to BizuAthletics after the race, Biniyam said, “I am trying to correct and improve upon my weaknesses through the competitions I participate in, and I have been making progress in my recent races. It is a positive thing that I was able to clock my season-best time in today’s race.”

It was a disappointing evening for the Ethiopian athletes competing in the women’s 1500m race, an event won by Polish athlete Klaudia Kazimierska, who defied all predictions by clocking a world-leading time of 3:54.05 and setting a new national record. Birke Haylom finished ninth (4:02.79), while Tsige Duguma was forced to withdraw from the race due to injury.

Ethiopian athlete Saida Tsehay, who has recently been clocking impressive times, finished third in the women’s 800m final with a time of 1:57.57, trailing Switzerland’s Audrey Werro (1:54.75) and the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders Bol (1:54.81). However, race organizers announced her disqualification due to a lane violation, citing World Athletics Technical Rule 17.2.3.

African athlete who won the title on the second day of finals (Saturday, September 5, 2026):

Men’s 3000m steeplechase: Gemechu Godana (ETH)