Australian middle-distance runner Cameron Myers clinched the men's 1500m title at the Diamond League Final in Brussels on Friday, timing his finish to perfection to edge out Kenya's Phanuel Koech in a dramatic sprint to the line. The 20-year-old clocked 3:30.14, just ahead of Koech (3:30.18), with American Ethan Strand third in 3:30.50. Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who had dictated much of the race, faded to fourth in 3:30.52.

Myers, who became only the eighth Australian to win a Diamond League Final title, said the victory was a relief. "I wouldn't say that this victory is a surprise to me," he said. "I would more say that it's a relief that I can finally show what I was building in the last couple of years." He also expressed delight at winning in his first Diamond League final: "It feels great to participate in my first Diamond League final and to immediately take the victory."

The race saw Ingebrigtsen, continuing his comeback after Achilles surgery in February, lead for much of the distance before tiring in the home straight. Koech swept past the Norwegian and appeared set for the win, but Myers, who had planned to stay relaxed, surged past over the final strides.

Myers' win follows a series of strong performances this season. Earlier in the week, he won the 1500m at Berlin's annual ISTAF event. He also took third in the 3000m at the Zurich Welklasse meeting late last month. The Canberra-based runner is a two-time Australian 1500m champion and a Glasgow Commonwealth Games mile silver medallist, having finished second to Josh Kerr in that event. He also won the 1500m at this year's Prefontaine Classic in Oregon and recorded a season's best of 3:28.00 in Paris.

Myers is coached by Dick Telford and is regarded as the best Australian prospect in the men's 1500m since 1960 Olympic champion Herb Elliott. He will now turn his attention to the Ultimate Championships in Budapest, scheduled for September 11-13.

Ingebrigtsen, who was unhappy with the outcome, told reporters the race was "terrible" despite a season's best time, and criticised some of his rivals, saying he was "racing against a bunch of cowards." He did, however, acknowledge Myers' performance, stating, "It's only Cameron that's had good race, everyone else looked like losers, me included." He also criticised the pacemaking and accused Cole Hocker of a trick, saying the American had the pacer changed to his own teammate.