Kerr mile world record, Agyekum German 400m hurdles mark fall at London Diamond League

Agyekum erases 44-year-old German record

Emil Agyekum broke the German 400m hurdles record that had stood since 1982, clocking 47.45 seconds at the London Diamond League. The 27-year-old from SCC Berlin finished second behind Norway's world record holder Karsten Warholm, who set a meeting record of 46.61. Agyekum's time was three hundredths faster than Harald Schmid's 47.48, set in Athens on 8 September 1982 and equaled at the 1987 World Championships. The performance, before 60,000 fans in the sold-out London Stadium, strengthens his medal prospects for the European Championships in Birmingham (10–16 August). Agyekum had already signalled his form with 47.58 in Budapest earlier in the week.

Kerr delivers on 'Project 222' with mile world record

Josh Kerr achieved the goal he announced on 28 March, breaking the mile world record with 3:42.66. The 28-year-old Scot, the 2023 world 1500m champion and 2024 Olympic silver medallist, beat the 27-year-old mark of Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, who ran 3:43.13 in Rome on 7 July 1999. Kerr's "Project 222" earned him a $50,000 bonus. Germany's Robert Farken also set a national record of 3:46.82, finishing fourth.

Mihambo finds form ahead of European Championships

Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo needed five attempts, with four fouls, before landing a season's best 7.05 metres. The former world champion beat American Claire Bryant (6.94m) and Italy's Larissa Iapichino (6.82m). The result places Mihambo among the favourites for the European Championships starting on 10 August.

Duplantis injury concern after second defeat

Armand Duplantis suffered his second loss of the season, finishing second in the pole vault with 5.95 metres behind American Sam Kendricks, who also cleared 5.95. The Swede, a two-time Olympic champion and world record holder, withdrew from his final attempt due to adductor pain.

It got worse and worse. I honestly don't know how I managed 5.95m.

Duplantis said he hopes to recover in time for the European Championships.

Sprint highlights: Ajayi and Alfred shine

Nigeria's Kayinsola Ajayi won the men's 100m in a national record 9.84 seconds, ahead of Jamaica's Oblique Seville (9.87) and Britain's Romell Glave (9.97). Six men broke 10 seconds. In the women's 200m, Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia clocked 21.66, with American Gabby Thomas second in 21.81 and Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas third in 22.24. Alfred had run 21.51 in Monaco a week earlier.

Discus and other events

In the discus, two-time Olympic champion Valarie Sion of the United States won with 68.39 metres. Germany's Shanice Craft, a three-time European Championship bronze medallist, placed seventh with 60.37 metres.