American clocks 10.76 in women's 100m for emphatic victory as Niels Laros also impresses in 1500m in penultimate Diamond League of 2025

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden's brilliant season continued as she powered to a big victory in the women's 100m at the Diamond League in Brussels on Friday (Aug 22).

The American champion has won Diamond League races in Silesia and Eugene this summer and has a best of 10.65 whereas here in Brussels the 24-year-old clocked 10.76 (-0.2) as she scorched away from the rest of the field.

Runner-up behind the Olympic bronze medallist was Sha'Carri Richardson of the United States with 11.08 as Britain's Daryll Neita was third in 11.15 and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica fourth in 11.17.

"This was my first time running in Brussels," Jefferson-Wooden said. "I'm always looking forward to running in new places and to discover new things.

"I'm going back home to the States to get some good training in and clean up the small things. I know that I'm in great shape and that it's all about putting together the perfect race at the perfect time, when it matters the most, and that is at the World Championships in Tokyo.

"So now all the small meetings are done and it's time to go back home and work on the biggest one of the season. The plan is definitely to go out there and take gold. I feel like I put myself in a really good spot to be a contender for that and now it's time to have trust."

Another athlete coming into fantastic form at the right time is Niels Laros, as the middle-distance runner sent out a warning shot to his 1500m rivals with a powerful and dominant victory.

The Dutch runner, who is still only 20, decisively kicked past Phanuel Koech of Kenya coming into the home straight to win in emphatic fashion in 3:30.58.

Koech, who is only 18 himself, won the London Diamond League 1500m in impressive style and clocked a world under-20 record of 3:27.72 in Paris this summer, but he was almost a second behind Laros here in 3:31.41.

Yared Nuguse of the United States was third in 3:31.51. Such was the quality, Jake Wightman was ninth in 3:32.95 with Neil Gourley in 10th.

"This is my second Diamond League of the season and second win," said Laros. "I choose my races precisely and it's nice that it turns out this way.

"It is definitely different to race without Jakob Ingebrigtsen. He is often the one who pushes the pace when the pacemakers step out. The race becomes more tactical without him. I don't know if that's better for me. Not necessarily I think as everyone in the race is capable to handle different race scenarios.

"I am qualified for Zurich (Diamond League final next week). The race itself is not really important for me, but it's important to be in a good shape around that time of the season with the World Championships just around the corner.

"I hope to battle again for the win, but I will not be disappointed if the result is not good. I had some setbacks earlier this season and I know that I am not in my best possible shape yet."

Agnes Ngetich of Kenya enjoyed a runaway victory in the women's 5000m in 14:24.99 ahead of a planned 5000m and 10,000m double in Tokyo next month.

In 15th, Innes FitzGerald, the European under-20 3000m and 5000m winner recently, continued her busy season by clocking 14:48.84 – marginally slower than the long-standing Zola Budd national record that she smashed at the London Diamond League.

Katie Moon pipped Molly Caudery to the win in the women's pole vault. Both athletes had first-time clearances up to 4.80m, but the American cleared 4.85m at her third attempt whereas Caudery couldn't manage the height. Still, it was the best British performance of the night and shows she's in good form going into the countdown to Tokyo.

Nikki Hiltz of the United States ran down Linden Hall in the women's 1500m to win in 3:55.94 as Laura Muir passed a number of rivals with a strong final 400m to finish fourth in a season's best of 3:57.63.

Winfred Yavi ran the fastest time ever in the new women's one mile steeplechase event with 4:40.13. The event is due to be classified as a world record event soon but the jury is still out over how popular it will be.

"It felt harder than the 3000m," she said. "I had to change my jumps as I was running faster towards the steeple."

Jacory Patterson won the men's 400m in 44.05 comfortably ahead of fellow American Vernon Norwood as Charlie Dobson was third in 44.81 as the Briton beat, among others, Commonwealth champion Muzala Samukonga and European gold medallist Alexander Doom.

Earlier in the evening, Chase Jackson of the United States threw a meeting record of 20.90m in the women's shot put.

Britain's Ethan Hussey ran 1:45.80 to win the 800m B race in Lausanne this week. Here he clocked a similar time – 1:45.92 – but wound up eighth as Eliott Crestan of Belgium won in 1:43.91.

There was a shock in the men's discus as Ralford Mullings of Jamaica threw 69.66m to win his first-ever Diamond League as he beat world record-holder Mykolas Alekna, as the Lithuanian threw 68.82m as Olympic champion Roje Stona of Jamaica was only seventh and Britain's Lawrence Okoye didn't register a mark.

The 3000m steeplechase also saw a surprise as former world champion Getnet Wale of Ethiopia was beaten by Ruben Querinjean as the Luxembourg athlete ran a national record of 8:09.47.

Full results here