Field events lead marquee match-ups in final contest of the season

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

The IAAF Diamond League concludes Friday at the Brussels Diamond League meeting in Belgium. As many of the world's top track and field stars conclude their season, there is much on the line, with Diamond League titles at stake, season-finishing bragging rights and one last chance to improve seasonal bests and world rankings. 

Here are five events worth watching Friday (and Thursday) in Brussels.

Shubenkov Looks to Cap Comeback Year

After the vast majority of Russian athletes were forced to sit out of the Olympic Games last summer, 2015 world champion Sergey Shubenkov had a lot to prove to both himself and the world this year and he showed the world time and again this season that he's still a force in the 110-meter hurdles. 

Shubenkov is on the verge of winning the Diamond League title, with a 29-27 point advantage over Aries Merritt. Spain's Orlando Ortega sits third with 26 points, setting up a three-way clash in Brussels.

Shubenkov has a slight advantage, not only with points, but enters Friday's contest riding a wave of momentum from his silver medal performance in London. Merritt and Ortega look to rebound from sub-par performances at the World Championships, while American Devon Allen adds another level of intrigue to the event. 

Although reigning Olympic and World champion Omar McLeod won't be racing, six of the eight entered athletes have season bests ranging from 13.01-13.15, making the final a close contest that could provide some surprise finishes.

Reese, Bartoletta Set to Shine in Long Jump

Few athletes have stepped it up on the world stage as often as Brittney Reese, who once again claimed the world title in the women's long jump in London. Reese looks to cap her 2017 atop of the world leaderboard, currently sitting in the top spot with a 23-4.75 (7.13m) seasonal best. 

Behind Reese in those rankings is London silver medalist Darya Klishina and bronze medalist and reigning Olympic champion Tianna Bartoletta. The trio of women are the only three jumpers in the world this year to clear the 22-11.75 (7.00m) barrier, giving fans plenty to be excited about as they take to the runway Friday. 

Add in World Championship fourth-place finisher Ivana Spanovic and fifth-place finisher Lorraine Ugen and the top-end talent and depth of the women's long jump field tops almost every other event on tap in Brussels.

Taylor vs. Claye Continues

One of the best rivalries in track and field just so happens to be involving triple jumpers Christian Taylor and Will Claye. The American duo are friends on and off the track, but ever since their time at the University of Florida, they've had a rivalry few other tandems in the sport can compare to. 

In London, Taylor won the world title, while Claye earned silver. That's the same sequence of finish in Rio last summer at the Olympic Games. Keeping it even more interesting, both own four of the top 10 jumps in the world in 2017, with Taylor owning a world-leading 59-5 (18.11m), while Claye ranks #2 with a seasonal best of 58-9.25 (17.91m). 

Taylor has the Diamond League title wrapped up with 31 points, while Claye sits in a tie for second with Alexis Copello with 20 points each. Add in American Chris Benard and Cuba's Pedro Pablo Pichardo, each owning one of the two remaining top 10 jumps in the world this year, and the triple jump final is definitely one of the top events to watch.

Crouser Seeks Revenge in Finale

While the main show takes place Friday, the men's shot put takes place Thursday in downtown Brussels, shining a light on one of the best events of 2017. Leading the charge is reigning world champion Tom Walsh, reigning Olympic champion Ryan Crouser and reigning Olympic and World Championship silver medalist Joe Kovacs. 

While Crouser is guaranteed to win the Diamond League title, the excitement comes from the trio owning the top 13 throws in the world this year. Crouser was dominant on the world stage up until London, where he finished a disappointing sixth, never finding his rhythm in the final. 

Walsh stepped it up in London, showing the world that the American duo would no longer be the sole 1-2 force. Meanwhile, Kovacs continued to show he's always a contender for victory, settling for second, but putting on a show for the fans. With Tomas Stanek, who placed fourth in London, also in the field, Thursday's clash in the ring will not disappoint.

Kipyegon vs. Simpson in the 1,500

One of the most memorable finishes in London at the IAAF World Championships was in the women's 1,500 meters, where American Jenny Simpson charged down the final homestretch, nearly besting eventual champion Faith Kipyegon, while the top five finishers finished within one second of each other. It was as close a finish as could be imagined and brings a level of excitement to one of Friday's best events. 

Simpson and Kipyegon renew their rivalry, and while they will be expected to lead the field, the clash between Poland's Angela Cichocka, Kenya's Winny Chebet and Morocco's Rababe Arafi is equally as anticipated, with the Diamond League title on the line. Cichocka, who finished seventh in London, owns 27 points to her name, while Chebet holds 23 points and Arafi, who took home eighth in London, has 22 points. A strong finish by any of the three could very well give them the win.

Add in London fifth-place finisher Sifan Hassan and sixth-place finisher Laura Weightman, and the 1,500 Diamond League final has all the makings of a thrilling finish.