Sweden's Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis and Australian Nicola Olyslagers sealed wins in the Diamond League finals in a high-octane 'city event' in downtown Zurich on Wednesday.
Duplantis, fresh from setting a 13th world record of 6.29m in Budapest earlier this month, was competing in one of six field disciplines held at Zurich's Sechselautenplatz, directly in front of the city's iconic opera house.
The US-born Swede had described the pole vault as a "beautiful circus act" and the street feel to the event certainly led to a visceral ambiance that left the temporary stands shaking amid stomping feet and raucous, choreographed cheers.
"It was really cool, really amazing, I loved the atmosphere," said Duplantis.
"I've never done a street meet here. Compared to the stadium, it's kind of the same but different. I like it, I think it's super cool to be up and close to everybody."
Duplantis ran out the winner in 6.0m over Greek rival Emmanouil Karalis in the perfect tonic before the September 13-21 worlds in Tokyo.
The field of six was quickly cut, American Sam Hendricks, Dutchman Menno Vloon, Australian Kurtis Marschall and French veteran Renaud Lavillenie all falling by the wayside.
Just Duplantis and Karalis cleared 5.90 as the bar was raised to 6.0m.
Karalis failed in his first bid at the that mark, but Duplantis sailed over. A second failure and the pressure mounted on the Greek.
In front of a rowdy crowd of 5 000 and with 'Zorba's Dance' booming out over the tannoy, Karalis went clear to ensure the competition continued.
The bar went up to 6.10m, but it proved too high on the night for both athletes, Duplantis winning on countback.
Duplantis does it again!@mondohoss600 wins his fifth successive #DiamondLeague title with 6.00m at the #DLFinal💎
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 27, 2025
He now needs only two more Diamond Trophies to equal @airlavillenie and @Taylored2jump's record of seven...#ZurichDL🇨ðŸ‡
📷 @chiaramontesan2 pic.twitter.com/6dCRe5kj0s
OLYSLAGERS EDGES MAHUCHIKH
Ukraine's Olympic champion and world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh renewed her rivalry with two-time world indoor champion Olyslagers in the women's high jump.
Olyslagers was first over at 2.02m, Mahuchikh failing twice and skipping a third attempt.
The Australian then cleared 2.04m, Mahuchikh upping the ante by having the bar raised to 2.06.
Olyslagers had three failures at that height, leaving the Ukrainian with one shot at snatching the win.
But she clipped the bar and had to be content with second behind Olyslagers.
Britain's Morgan Lake set a national record of 2.00m for third, on countback from Ukraine's Yuliia Levchenko.
A first ever #DiamondLeague title for Nicola Olyslagers!
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 27, 2025
The 🇦🇺 star clears a world lead and Oceania record of 2.04m to end Yaroslava Mahuchikh's run of three successive Diamond Trophies in the women's high jump.#ZurichDL🇨🇠#DLFinal💎 pic.twitter.com/uATfRpqJXv
There was home delight as decathlete Simon Ehammer, a 2022 world long jump bronze medallist, went out to 8.32m for victory.
Italian Mattia Furlani took second, just 2cm shy of the Swiss jumper's mark, with Australian Liam Adcock rounding out the podium (8.24).
Victory on home soil for Simon Ehammer!
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 27, 2025
The Swiss long jumper delights the #ZurichDL🇨ðŸ‡crowd with 8.32m and a second career #DiamondLeague title.#DLFinal💎
📷 @chiaramontesan2 pic.twitter.com/nBaU14JmRS
The women's pole vault, rescheduled as a city event for safety reasons given the stormy weather conditions predicted for Thursday, went the way of Katie Moon, the American managing a best of 4.82m.
In a US podium cleansweep, Sandi Morris and Emily Grove finished second and third, both with 4.75m.
A second Diamond Trophy for @ktnago13!
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 27, 2025
Two years on from her first #DiamondLeague title, Katie Moon reclaims the throne with 4.82m at #ZurichDL🇨🇠#DLFinal💎
📷 @chiaramontesan2 pic.twitter.com/HPPv1dJrN5
Two-time world champion Joe Kovacs, who missed the cut at the US trials and won't be going to the Tokyo worlds, nailed a 22.46m effort on his fifth attempt to bag the win in the men's shot put.
The American finished well clear of compatriot Payton Otterdahl (22.07) and Jamaica's Rajindra Campbell (21.87).
Another Diamond Trophy for @JoeKovacsUSA!
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 27, 2025
The 🇺🇸 shot put legend wins his fourth #DiamondLeague title with 22.46m at the #DLFinal💎 #ZurichDL🇨ðŸ‡
📷 @chiaramontesan2 pic.twitter.com/7cbq0qWudQ
"We absolutely love coming here for this street competition. There's no better atmosphere," said Kovacs, who wished his US teammates well in Tokyo.
"I'm just happy coming out here and throwing a season's best."
Canada's Sarah Mitton claimed the women's shot put trophy with a best of 20.67m, finished ahead of the Netherlands' Jessica Schilder (20.26) and American Chase Jackson (20.08).
The remaining 26 Diamond League champions will be crowned in the course of a bumper programme at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium on Thursday.