Zurich Braces for Lyles vs Tebogo, Wanyonyi vs Arop Showdowns as 2025 Diamond League Final Takes Shape

The 2025 Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich is set to deliver blockbuster matchups and world-class performances, with the men’s 200m and 800m showdowns taking center stage.

Olympic champions Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo will go head-to-head in a high-stakes sprint duel, while Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop reignite their fierce rivalry in the middle-distance arena.

Lyles, the reigning Olympic and Diamond League champion, is chasing a record-breaking sixth Diamond Trophy in the 200m. His challenger, Botswana’s Tebogo, arrives in Zurich hungry for his first Diamond League title after a season of consistent brilliance.

Their clash promises fireworks at the iconic Letzigrund Stadium.

In the men’s 800m, Kenya’s Wanyonyi—already a two-time Diamond League champion—will battle Canada’s Marco Arop, who trails 10–6 in their head-to-head record. With both athletes in peak form, the race is expected to be one of the most tactical and thrilling contests of the final.

While these matchups headline the Zurich spectacle, fans will have to wait until next month’s World Championships in Tokyo for the much-anticipated women’s 100m showdown between Olympic champion Julien Alfred and American sprint sensation Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.

Jefferson-Wooden, who leads the world rankings with a season-best 10.65, has withdrawn from the Zurich final despite a commanding 10.76 win in Brussels last week. Alfred remains confirmed, leaving the field wide open for her to retain her crown.

The women’s 100m hurdles also sees a major shake-up with Olympic champion Masai Russell opting out, boosting Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan’s chances of securing a record-equalling fourth Diamond League title.

Amusan will nevertheless face a stacked field including former champions Kendra Harrison (2016) and Danielle Williams (2019), as well as Ackera Nugent, Grace Stark, Tonea Marshall, Ditaji Kambundji, and Nadine Visser.

In the women’s 200m, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson—two-time Diamond League champion—will not compete, giving Olympic bronze medalist and defending champion Brittany Brown a clear path to retain her crown.

Meanwhile, five-time 1500m winner Faith Kipyegon will also be absent, leaving the title up for grabs in one of the most competitive fields of the season.

Zurich is ready. The rivalries are real. The stage is set.