The 2023 Diamond League finals, held from September 16 to 17, came with its own set of twists and turns. The newly crowned world champions, Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson failed to seal their last battle of the season with a win. On the other hand, Jamaican star Shericka Jackson helped restore the glory of her national team on the tracks of Eugene, Oregon.

Following this disappointment, one more United States athlete could not take the prestigious trophy home owing to distinct terms. The 21-year-old athlete had championed the 800m event but was still deprived of the medal on home soil, owing to qualification standards. Remarkably, the Olympic athlete also set a new American record after finishing the race first.

US sprinter deprived of the medal at the Diamond League

On September 17, Athing Mu made a comeback in the 800M Diamond League finals. The 21-year-old participated in the event as a wildcard entry, leading her to be deprived of her medal. A tweet posted by Wanda Diamond League broke the news on X. “Victory in the 800m for Athing Mu, who clocks a US record of 1:54.97, As a national wild card, the American can’t win the title, so Keely Hodgkinson is the Diamond League champion,” the caption stated.

The 21-year-old olympian, who had failed to secure her ticket to the Diamond League final, gave British athlete Keely Hodgkinson a heated competition to win the event with a new US record of 1:54:97. Nonetheless, Hodgkinson, who broke her British record by clocking in 1:55.19, was presented with the gold medal. The third position was clinched by Jamaican sprinter Natoya Goule-Toppin, who also broke her national record with a time of 1:55.96. A record-breaking feat to the core.

After the race, Mu also shared her thoughts with the media. Despite not clinching the trophy, Mu chose to look at the greener side. The athlete shared, “Just happy with how I felt out here, just completely. I felt really new and refreshed, and I’m just happy.” Interestingly, this race comes only one month after the athlete was surpassed by Hodgkinson on the tracks of Budapest. The 21-year-old secured third place at the 2023 World Athletics Championship.

Athing Mu grabs bronze on the Budapest tracks

In August, Athing Mu failed to defend her 800-meter title. The American sensation had clinched the gold in Eugene last year, but had to settle for bronze by finishing the race in 1:56.61 at the 2023 World Athletics. The athlete was surpassed by Mary Moora of Kenya, who secured the gold with a personal best of 1:56.03. Interestingly, Mu’s on-track rival, Keely Hodgkinson, also surpassed the athlete by securing silver in 1:56.34. The American athlete faced defeat after losing the pace in the last 100 meters of the race.

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In essence, despite not taking the prestigious Diamond League trophy home, Athing Mu left the fans in awe. The athlete, after exhibiting her prowess on the track, truly sealed her season with a staunch comeback. Now the Mu enthusiasts hope to see the sprinter maintain her zeal and showcase her skill on the tracks of Paris next year.

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