by Stuart Weir
South African day with two golds
GUANGZHOU (CHN, May 11): Relay power USA won only one gold during 2nd day of WA Relays in China (mixed 4×400 m), while South Africa celebrated two golds (men 4×100 m and 4×400 m) with remaining wins going to British (4×100 m) and Spanish (4×400 m) women. In the inaugural mixesd 4×100 m Canada was the best with all-time best 40.30, World leads in men 4×100 m and 4×400 m and mixed 4×400 m. Another group of 30 teams have qualified for the World Championships Tokyo 25. Four federations – Belgium, France, Great Britain & Northern Ireland and USA – each qualified a full five teams for Tokyo, while another five – Canada, China, Germany, Italy and Poland – qualified four each. While most of the relay tickets for Tokyo have now been secured, teams that missed out in Guangzhou do still have a chance to qualify. A further two World Championships places in each of the five disciplines will be awarded based on top lists during the qualification period (25 February 2024 to 24 August 2025). With the help from WA.
Short reviews by event
Men
4x100m (R2) – China won heat three in 38.03, the fastest across the three heats, to qualify for Tokyo ahead of Australia (38.31). France won heat one in 38.31 from Ghana (38.32) with Belgium setting a national record of 38.49 to win heat 2 ahead of Kenya (38.51). Jamaica were a DNF with Julian Forte pulling up injured on leg two.
4x100m (F) – Akani Simbine anchored South Africa to victory in a world lead of 37.61 ahead of the United States (37.66, anchor Hicklin, 2nd leg World leader Bednarek) and Olympic champions Andre de Grasse (38.11). Great Britain were a DNF.
4x400m (R2) – World lead of 2:58.68 for the United States in heat two ahead of Australia (2:59.73) and Qatar (3:00.29 NR). Brazil won heat one in a slower 3:01.14 ahead of Netherlands (3:01.32) and Jamaica (3:02.00) with Poland (3:02.15) surprisingly missing out.
4x400m (F) – South Africa stormed to victory in a world lead and national record of 2:57.50. Belgium ran 2:58.19 EL, third fastest time as a nation, for second with a depleted Botswana team taking bronze in 2:58.27. National record for Kenya in fifth with 2:59.29.
Women
4x100m (R2) – China qualified for Tokyo with 43.03 in heat two ahead of Switzerland (43.35) and Poland (43.38). France won heat one in 43.06 from Italy (43.12) with Chile a surprise third (43.74). Cote d’Ivoire were a DNF.
4x100m (F) – Four-time European U20 medallist Success Eduan ran a brilliant anchor for the Brits who won gold in 42.21 ahead of Spain (42.28) with favourites Jamaica and United States only third (42.33) and fourth (42.38). NR for Canada in fifth in 42.46.
4x400m (R2) – Faster times on day two with Great Britain winning the first race in 3:24.46 ahead of Belgium (3:24.52) and Poland (3:24.56). Ireland won the second race in 3:24.69.
4x400m (F) – A shock victory for Spain in a national record of 3:24.13 (also EL) ahead of the United States (3:24.72) and South Africa with a national record of 3:24.84. Another national record for Norway in fourth in 3:25.35.
Mixed
4x100m (F) – Victory for Canada in the new event in 40.30 all-time best ahead of Jamaica (40.44) and Great Britain (40.88) European all-time best.
4x400m (R2) – Spain won heat one in a national record of 3:12.55 to qualify for Tokyo ahead of Germany (3:13.35) and hosts China who also set a national record of 3:13.39. Italy (3:12.53), France (3:12.66) and Canada (3:12.95) qualified from heat two
4x400m (F) – Championship record of 3:09.54 (also WL) for the United States for a comprehensive win over Australia who set an Oceanian record of 3:12.20 and Kenya in 3:13.10.
