The Urban Allianz Memorial Van Damme delivered on its promise to bring the spectacle of elite athletics to a unique forest setting in the Bois de la Cambre.
In the women's event Cuban Yaimé Pérez dominated the first set of five throws, putting down a 66m47 on her second attempt. Sandra Perkovic and Valarie Allman joined her in the Final 3, in which Pérez threw a 63m41. Olympic champion Allman fell just 3cm short of victory, while Perkovic was third without a valid attempt.
In the men's discus Olympic champion Daniel Stahl put on a show. The Swedish strongman came out of the gates swinging with 69m31 on his first attempt. After three invalid attempts he underlined his credentials with a throw of 68m59 ahead of the Final 3.
Fedrick Dacres and Kristjan Ceh joined Stahl for that deciding sixth throw, but Stahl grabbed the win with 67m01.
"It felt really comfortable," said the Swede after his third win in Brussels. "After that strong first attempt I forced myself a bit, so I didn't control my upper body. On the final attempt I just wanted to play it safe. I have never felt that at ease throwing 69 metres, and certainly not in a forest in Brussels.
"It was really nice to compete here. I enjoyed the crowd, although for me they can shout even more. I'm not going to try Belgian beer, but we already received some pralines and I'm definitely going to taste those tonight.
"The season is far from over. I'm having a lot of fun during the competitions and after the Diamond League final in Zurich I'm going to take part in some smaller competitions back home."
