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A thrilling shot put competition is set to electrify the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea – Presented by IP on Friday, June 6, as part of the Italian leg of the Wanda Diamond League, hosted at the historic Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Reigning Diamond League champion Leonardo Fabbri (Italy) returns to Rome. Also confirmed are American Joe Kovacs, two-time world champion and three-time Olympic silver medallist with a staggering personal best of 23.23 (second-best in history); New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, reigning world indoor champion; and fellow Italian Zane Weir.
It’s a sensational quartet, ready to battle it out for points that will secure a spot in the Diamond League Final in Zurich (August 27–28). Leonardo Fabbri claimed victory last year in the Brussels final, narrowly missing the 23-meter mark with a fantastic Italian record of 22.98 (fifth all-time). The local hero won the gold medal at the European Championships in Rome 2024 and is now aiming for another victory at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, after his 2023 win in Florence. Both Walsh and Kovacs have also claimed victories at the Italian leg of the main one-day meeting circuit: Walsh in Florence in 2021, and Kovacs in Rome in 2022.
Olympic Stars
This year’s 45th edition of the Golden Gala is already stacked with Olympic talent, with six Olympic champions confirmed to compete:
- Beatrice Chebet (Kenya), two-time champion in Paris, races the 5000 meters alongside Nadia Battocletti, Europe’s new 5 km record holder.
- Miltiadis Tentoglou (Greece), Olympic long jump champion, faces off with world indoor champion Mattia Furlani.
- Quincy Hall (USA) in the 400 meters.
- Hamish Kerr (New Zealand) in the high jump.
- Valarie Allman (USA) in the discus throw.
- Thea LaFond (Dominica) in the triple jump.
With world champions, record holders, and Olympic gold medallists converging on Rome, the 2025 Golden Gala promises a night of unforgettable athletics.