Yaimé Pérez defeats Sandra Perkovic and wins the 2018 Diamond League

September 1, 2018

The Cuban discus thrower Yaimé Pérez pulled off the big surprise of the day in Brussels and defeated Croatian Sandra Perkovic for the third time in history, a performance that allowed her to win the final competition of the 2018 Diamond League and thereby claim the coveted gem.

On the closing day of the tournament, the Santiago native came from third position in her final throwing attempt and with a solid 65.00m left the rest of the competitors with no chance. She had previously posted a stable sequence of 63.38/64.23/63.12/63.10 and once again 63.12m.

Undoubtedly this was not Perkovic's night (64.31m) — double Olympic and world champion and with only two losses in the last three seasons, both against the Cuban — as Brazilian Andressa de Morais (64.65m) also finished ahead of her. Since the IAAF Continental Cup Marrakech 2014, the Croatian had not finished a competition in third place.

"This is crazy, I still can't believe that I've won the Diamond League. I'm completely in shock. When I took the lead in my final attempt, I still thought I was going to lose because Sandra had her final attempt. She's a great champion and with her in the competition you're never sure of winning. This is by far the greatest victory in my career, but I still can't believe it," said the Cuban in response to the first press question.

Meanwhile, Perkovic attributed her performance to a flu that has affected her for five days, although she did not hesitate to criticize the organizers over some matters regarding the competition.

"The Diamond League should not be awarded in a final. Besides, 30 seconds for each throw seems ridiculous to me. In other disciplines, like long jump, they offer more. The IAAF should consider this and not make fun of athletes," she said almost unable to hide her annoyance.

This is the first time since 2012 that the European has lost the Diamond League final trophy. Now Yaimé joins her countrywoman Yarelis Barrios as the only women capable of taking away her dominance in this type of event.

In that competition, 2015 world titleholder Denia Caballero also participated, but with only 56.37m she finished last among the eight finalists.