Kirani James shines at Brussels: Finishes second at Diamond League final

Grenada’s national sporting icon and three-time Olympic medallist, Kirani James, continues to make his country proud in stride, securing second place at the prestigious Diamond League final.

This was another great performance from James seen during the final event of men’s 400 meters at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme held on Friday, September 13, 2024, in Brussels. Kirani James, at the age of 32 took the second place after crossing the line in 44.63 seconds.

James is one of the athletes whose precedent of brilliant performance and gamesmanship has always brought international recognition to Grenada. On a global stage like such in Brussels, he proved it was no fluke.

This time, competing with some of the world’s best, he was evident of his excellent vigour in the 400 metres category, managing to stand tall at second position.

British athlete, Charles Dobson took the winning title in the mentioned event at Diamond League with a very exciting finale, putting up 44.49 seconds, putting up a thriller as he emerged winner by just an inch more than James.

For the British sprinter, an achievement of this kind thus added a significant title to his building collection of success.

Muzala Samukonga of Zambia also posed third with fairly good time of 44.69 seconds. Samukonga, who is bidding his time to become the next big thing in African athletics, is undoubtedly on his way to taking over the international track soon, as he did uphold a marvellous performance yet again at the Brussels Arena.

Kirani’s second placer just puts the right spice to his budding but promising career. The years have witnessed James arguably as one of the most titled athletes in 400 metres with the string of the Olympic medals to his name.

His performance till the date is commendable enough to even realize the fact that he is already in his thirties. This has a lot to tell about how committed he is to his craft and to fitness.

For the young wannabe athletes in Grenada, not to mention the whole of Caribbean region, James is a role model that will inspire many.

Although James will be leaving Brussels as a runner up, the trend exhibited in the diamond league final dismisses the speculations regarding the applicability of the man into international athletics event.

While he is in the running arena across the globe, James is still striving to make his mark even higher and higher with every race, thus pushing himself to be placed in the category of one of the greatest 400-meter sprinter of one’s kind.

The Brussels final was a clear indication of the competitive nature of the Diamond League with the best professional athletics across the world, in direct contest against each other.

While Charles Dobson would return home with the day’s honours but Kirani James’ great second place run will for sure go down in history as a matter of pride for Grenada and the entire Caribbean in general.