ATHLETICS – Bahrain's Birhanu Balew made athletics history last night after being crowned this year’s Diamond League champion in the men’s 5,000 metres.
Balew secured the maiden Diamond Trophy of his career after winning his race at Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium – the final meeting of the 2026 Diamond League.
The 30-year-old stormed to first place in a new Asian and Bahraini record of 12 minutes 45.70 seconds, which is also the fastest time over the distance this year.
He took two seconds off the previous best mark, which he himself set earlier this season in June.
Balew was dominant in last night’s run, building a comfortable advantage as he neared the finish line.
He triumphed ahead of Egide Ntakarutimana from Burundi, who was the runner-up in 12:46.73, while Cornelius Kemboi from Kenya finished third in 12:47.29.
“I'm so happy with the victory,” Balew said following the race.
“The circumstances were perfect for a 5,000 metres – good weather, not too much people in the race, so not too much pushing each other.”
“I was well aware of the gap I had in the home stretch, so I knew I would win the trophy.
“I'm not surprised about my personal best and Asian record. I had some good weeks of training in the legs and I have a good coach.”
Balew became only the fourth Bahraini – and the kingdom’s first men’s athlete – to win the prestigious Diamond Trophy. He follows in the footsteps of three-time champion Salwa Eid Naser, who won the women’s 400m in 2018, 2019, and 2025; and two-time winner Ruth Jebet from 2016 and 2017 along with 2023 titlist Winfred Yavi in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.
Balew and Yavi were the kingdom’s lone two athletes to qualify for this year’s Diamond League final.
Yavi ran in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase on Friday and finished a solid third.
Both superstar athletes are set to be part of the kingdom’s athletics national team that will be going for gold at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan later this month.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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