The race forms part of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme, which marks its 50th edition this year and hosts the season-ending Diamond League Finals over two days at the King Baudouin Stadium. The men’s 100m is scheduled for approximately 20:14 CEST.
Confirmed startlist:
- 🇯🇲 Oblique Seville
- 🇳🇬 Kayinsola Ajayi
- 🇦🇺 Lachlan Kennedy
- 🇨🇲 Emmanuel Eseme
- 🇿🇦 Gift Leotlela
- 🇿🇦 Akani Simbine
- 🇺🇸 Christian Coleman
- 🇺🇸 Trayvon Bromell
- 🇧🇪 Simon Verherstraeten
Seville arrives as the clear favourite after a dominant Diamond League campaign. The Jamaican, who claimed the world title in 2025, has been the most consistent performer over 100m this season and sits joint-top of the qualifying standings. His season’s best of 9.82 remains the world lead, and he recently set a meeting record of 9.83 when winning a historic all-sub-10 race in Silesia.
Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi represents one of the biggest threats to Seville’s supremacy. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year, equalling the Nigerian national record of 9.84 on multiple occasions and defeating the world champion twice — first at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene and again at the London Diamond League. Ajayi’s combination of explosive starts and finishing speed has marked him out as one of the most exciting young talents in global sprinting.
South Africa will be strongly represented by Gift Leotlela and the experienced Akani Simbine. Leotlela has matched Seville on points in the Diamond League standings, while Simbine continues to deliver consistent sub-10 performances. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme adds further African strength to the field after a solid season that included several high-level appearances.
The American challenge will come from former world champion Christian Coleman and Trayvon Bromell, both of whom possess genuine sub-9.80 pedigree. Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy and Belgian wild-card Simon Verherstraeten complete a competitive nine-man line-up.
The Brussels final is a winner-takes-all contest for the Diamond Trophy, with no carry-over of points from the regular season meetings. A strong performance here will also serve as an important marker ahead of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship later in September.
With multiple athletes capable of running under 9.90 and a mix of proven champions and emerging stars, the men’s 100m promises to be one of the highlights of the Diamond League Final weekend in the Belgian capital.