Brilliant day in Botswana for Jamaica
Loading article...
Jamaica closed out final day action at the World Athletics Relays in a blaze of glory yesterday highlighted by another world record performance in the 4x100 metres mixed relay in Gaborne, Botswana.
In total, the national track and field athletics team won a second gold medal, in the women’s 4x100 metres final; and silver in the 4x400 metres mixed relays, to emerge the most successful country at the meet with three high-quality medals.
Next on the medals table were the United States (US) with two gold medals and one bronze.
Jamaica also earned qualification in the men’s 4x100 metres to the 2027 World Championship of Athletics in Beijing, China, by winning their qualification race yesterday morning.
NEW WORLD RECORD
The island picked up their first gold medal in the 4x100m mixed relay final and shattered their own world record along the way.
The quartet of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton, Tina’s twin sister, stopped the clock in 39.62 seconds, lowering the previous world record of 39.99 they had set on Saturday.
"The world record was not in our minds because our main aim was to qualify for the Ultimate Championship and get the baton around, though two world records in one event feels great," said World 100m silver medallist Tina Clayton.
Both Tina and Tia were also part of Jamaica's silver medal-winning women's 4x100m team at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, last year.
"The world will definitely see us in Budapest at the Ultimate Championship," Tina added of the Hungary meet, for which the top-six qualifiers in each World Relay final advanced automatically.
Canada finished second in the mixed relay final in 40.23, while the United States were third in a season’s best 40.33.
The Canadian team again featured Eliezer Adjibi, Marie-Éloïse Leclair, Duan Asemota and Audrey Leduc, while the USA were represented by men's World 4x100m champion Courtney Lindsey, Jada Mowatt, Kyree King, and E'Lexis Hollis.
SECOND GOLD
Jamaica stormed to their second gold medal of the afternoon, as Elaine Thompson-Herah made a golden return to international competition. As she continues on the comeback trail from injury, Thompson-Herah, the two-time double Olympic sprint gold medallist, teamed up with the Williams trio of Briana, on start, Jodean and Lavanya to clock 42.00 and finish ahead of Canada and Spain.
Canada’s team comprised two members – Marie-Éloïse Leclair and Audrey Leduc – from their mixed 4x100m team that finished second just 20 minutes before the race.
And again, they were no match for the Jamaicans. Briana, also showing a return to form, gave Jamaica a smooth start, but the baton change on the second changeover was not smooth, which allowed Canada to gain a lead on Jamaica going into the final leg.
The classy Thompson-Herah, however, was equal to the task and swiftly blazed by Donna Ntambue in an impressive showing that saw the Jamaican star having created enough distance to ease up with over 10 metres to the finish line.
Not to be undone, Canada registered a national record of 42,17, with Spain clocking 42.31 to complete the podium.
"I'm grateful that I crossed the line healthy," said Thompson-Herah after racing in her first major international event since the 2023 World Championships. "Coming down the home straight, I felt like my leg was heavy – like a hamstring – but I knew that I had to bring the team home because we were looking forward to that.”
Continuing, Thompson-Herah added: "We came here in high spirits and I'm satisfied to walk away with the gold. I came here hungry for more and it worked out perfectly."
MIXED 4X4 RECORD
Jamaica rounded off their medal haul with a silver medal in the 4x400m, posting a national record as well.
Deandre Watkin, Shana Kaye Anderson, Antonio Watson and Rushell Clayton stopped the clock in 3:08.24, finishing behind the US, who won in 3:07.47.
The Americans’ time erased two seconds off the competition record they set last year, and it was within 0.06-second of the world record they set at the 2024 Olympics.
Bryce Deadmon, Paris Peoples, Jenoah McKiver and Bailey Lear made up the US quartet.
Great Britain rounded off the medal places in 3:09.84 to take bronze.
MEN’S RECOVERY
Earlier, the men’s 4x100m team recovered from their non-qualifying performance on day one and secured their spot at the 2027 World Championships.
Rohan Watson, Odaine McPherson, Adrian Kerr and Rasheed Foster posted 38.14 to finish first in heat two of the repechage, ending ahead of Belgium, 38.40, and Nigeria, 38.50.
The United States won yesterday’s men’s 4x100m gold in 37.43 seconds, narrowly holding off South Africa, 37.49. Germany were third in 37.76.
It was the first time in history that the first two teams in a men’s 4x100m had gone below 37.50 seconds.
Ronnie Baker, Max Thomas, Lance Lang and Pjai Austin (in running order) comprised the US team.
CONSOLATION
Jamaica’s 4x100m World Championship qualification was some sort of consolation after narrowly missing out in the men’s and women’s 4x400m repechage rounds.
The quartet of Leah Anderson, Shiann Salmon, Janielle Josephs and Andrenette Knight posted a time 3:25.38 to finish third in heat one, just outside the top two qualifying spots.
There was further disappointment in the male equivalent as Assinie Wilson, Jeremy Bembridge, Jevaughn Powell and Reheem Hayles combined for a time of 3:01.63 to finish fourth in a tightly-contested race.
Their results mean Jamaica have not automatically qualified for the 2027 Beijing World Athletics Championships, and will need to rely on world rankings to book a spot.
Meanwhile, Norway stormed to a national record and world-leading 3:20.96 to win the women’s 4x400m final. They took the title ahead of defending champions Spain, who also ran a national record, 3:21.25. Canada finished third in 3:22.66.
Botswana brought the curtains down on their own event in spectacular fashion, winning the men’s 4x400m in a championship record of 2:54.47, following an epic battle with neighbours South Africa, and Australia.
Lee Eppie (44.26), Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo (43.50), Bayapo Ndori and World champion Collen Kebinatshipi, in running order, comprised the Botswana team.
South Africa clocked 2:55.07, while Australia were third in 2:55.20.
Jamaica’s three medals bettered last year’s performance, when they finished with two medals, one silver and one bronze.