Darrell Hill Uses Big Sixth Round Personal Best to Win Diamond League Shot Put Final In Brussels

By Adam Kopet

The Diamond League shot put final came a day early at the Place de la Monnaie in the center of Brussels, a part of the Memorial Van Damme that will see the final 16 Diamond League trophies awarded.

Early in the competition, Ryan Crouser, the 2016 Olympic shot put champion, was the leader with a mark of 73-4.75 (22.37m). Joe Kovacs was in second place and IAAF World Outdoor shot put champion Tom Walsh was in third.

But then in the final round, Darrell Hill upped the ante with a massive personal best. He launched the shot 73-7.5 (22.44m), a personal best by nearly two feet.

In the end, none of the other putters could respond. That meant Hill won the Diamond League final, which came with both a trophy and a $50,000 prize.

It was an American sweep of the podium, with Crouser finishing second and Kovacs finishing third with a best of 70-11.25 (21.62m).

Watch Hill's final throws and post-event interview.