Brussels Diamond League 2013: Can't-Miss Finals at This Year's Meet

In the climatic finale of this year’s Diamond League, 16 Diamond Race victors will be decided in Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium on Sept. 6 to cap off a thrilling track and field season.

According to the current standings, nine athletes need only turn up to the race in order to claim the top prize in their respective event.

However, that leaves another seven disciplines hanging on a knife’s edge to see just who will emerge triumphant in this year’s hunt for global dominance.

Read on to find out which races have the most on the line heading into Friday’s action.

Men’s 200 Metres

Jamaica’s Warren Weir currently headlines proceedings on 10 points, but just about anyone in the field could come out on top of Friday’s 200-metre event.

With points worth double in the final, Weir’s compatriots Nickel Ashmeade (currently on four points) and Jason Young (also on four points) are all in with a shout of toppling Weir.

Having said that, Weir looks enthusiastic about his chances in Belgium:

Usain Bolt was set to compete, but will instead contest the 100-metre event.

Depending on other finishers, a win could also lead to victory for Ukraine’s Serhiy Smelyk, also currently on four points.

Having said that, a lot rests on fitness on Friday, with the start list open to change even in the hours prior to the event.

Women’s 3000-Metre Steeplechase

Heading into Friday’s steeplechase final, things are looking hopeful for the Kenyan pairing of Milcah Chemos and Lidya Chepkurui, who currently both sit at the summit of the standings with 12 points apiece.

However, the other giants in with a shout of spoiling matters are Ethiopians Sofia Assefa and Hiwot Ayalew, on eight and six points, respectively.

Although it’s difficult to see past a Kenyan triumph, there are few more unpredictable races than the steeplechase, and if the crowd are drawn into the battle we could see a surprise winner.

Men’s 400-Metre Hurdles

In the Men’s 400-metre hurdles, there are just three names left in the ballot for victory, with Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson and Michael Tinsley of the USA being the two most likely to compete for the title.

Culson is currently on 13 points, four ahead of Tinsley and six ahead of his U.S. teammate, Johnny Dutch. Going into the Brussels meeting, Culson looks the favourite to finish off a dominant season but could face late pressure from the American pair. (Dutch, however, is not on the start list as of this writing).