by Alfonz Juck
Aleia Hobbs anchors 4x100m, photo by Roger Sedres, for the IAAF
Justyna Swiety Ersatec anchors Poland’s 4x400m win over USA, photo by Roger Sedres, for the IAAF
The 4th IAAF World Relays was a success. As Mark Cullen of @trackerati noted so well, its all about the baton….
Upsets! Upsets! Upsets! This is Why We Run the Races: Part Deux – Day Two of @IAAFYokohama19 World Relays – just get the baton around – how simple could it be?! Not very, as we saw all weekend from Yokohama. @spikesmag @tandfn @letsrundotcom @runblogrun https://t.co/oQy7973RWc pic.twitter.com/2xVl8v0hIC
— Mark Cullen (@trackerati) May 12, 2019
Enjoy the EME News event by event review….
Overall US win, but men 4×1 for Brazil and 4×4 for Trinidad
YOKOHAMA (JPN, May 12): Shocks and drama entertained a good crowd of 20,000 as the top 10 teams secured their places at the World Championships. Although five teams took wins in the seven finals on the second day, USA dominated overall with five golds, ammassing 54 points to the 27 of second-placed Jamaica and third-placed Japan. Only Jamaica and Italy qualified here to all five World championships relay events.
Event by event reviews
Men’s 4x100m – Brazil took a surprise win with a world lead of 38.05 through Rodrigo do Nascimento, Jorge Vides, Derick Silva and Paulo André Camilo de Oliveira. The fast-closing Americans were second with 38.07 and Britain third on 38.15.
Women’s 4x100m – This went to plan as Mikiah Brisco, Ashley Henderson, Dezerea Bryant and Aleia Hobbs won for USA narrowly over Jamaica, 43.27 to 43.29. Defending champions Germany were a distant third on 43.68.
Men’s 4x200m – USA took the expected victory in 1:20.12 with Christopher Belcher, Bryce Robinson, Vernon Norwood and Remontay McClain holding off second-placed South Africa. USA had set a world lead of 1:19.73 in their heat. South Africa’s 1:20.42 was an area record, while Germany were third with a national record 1:21.26.
Women’s 4x200m – France took advantage of ill discipline elsewhere to take a shock gold with a national record and world lead of 1:32.16. Carolle Zahi, Estelle Raffai, Cynthia Leduc and Maroussia Pare capitalised as China were second with an Asian record 1:32.76. USA crossed the line third but were later DQ’d, so Jamaica – despite almost fatal changeovers – took third in 1:32.21.
Women’s 4x400m – Poland sprang a big surprise on three-time winners USA. MaÅ‚gorzata HoÅ‚ub-Kowalik (52.6), Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz (51.1) and Anna KieÅ‚basiÅ„ska (52.1) combined to overtake early leaders US before European champion Justyna Swiety-Ersetic (51.6) held off a closing Courtney Okolo (51.0) for US. Poland clocked 3:27.49 with US on 3:27.65 and Italy on 3:27.74.
Men’s 4x400m – USA were again upset, this time by Trinidad & Tobago thanks to a great last 50m from Michel Cedenio (44.7), who passed Paul Dedewo (45.6), although the Americans were later disqualified for a lane infringement. T&T’s 3:00.81 world lead came also courtesy of Deon Lendore (45.9), Jereem Richards (44.8) and Asa Guevara (45.7). Second after the DQ were Jamaica (3:01.57) and third Belgium (3:02.70).
Mixed 4x400m – USA led from start to finish to clock 3:16.43. My’Lik Kerley (46.3), Joanna Atkins (51.6), Jasmin Blocker (52.3) and Dontavius Wright (46.2) were well clear of Canada (3:18.15) and Kenya (3:19.43).
