The 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou delivered crucial results as 43 countries qualified for the relay events at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Teams competed fiercely across men’s, women’s, and mixed relays to secure one of the 14 automatic qualification spots per event.
Australia, Great Britain, South Africa, and the United States stood out by qualifying four relay teams each. Australia qualified in men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, plus the mixed 4x400m relay. Meanwhile, India narrowly missed qualification in the men’s and mixed 4x400m relays after finishing outside the top two in their heats.
Canada won the mixed 4x100m relay at the World Relays but did not earn direct qualification for Tokyo, as this event is not part of the World Championships program. Other strong relay nations such as Jamaica, Italy, France, and Belgium also secured their places by finishing in the top 14.
The qualification list includes a diverse group of countries from every continent, reflecting the growing global depth in relay events. Teams like China, Kenya, Nigeria, and Poland earned spots alongside traditional sprint powerhouses.
This early qualification allows teams to focus their training and strategy for Tokyo, knowing they have secured their place among the world’s best. Additional teams may still qualify based on world rankings and invitations before the World Championships begin in September.
The World Relays once again proved vital in shaping the field for the sport’s biggest stage. Teams that performed well in Guangzhou now look ahead to Tokyo with confidence and ambition.
In Summary,
- Great Britain, South Africa, and the USA each qualified four relay teams for Tokyo.
- Canada won the mixed 4x100m relay at the World Relays, but this event is not contested at the World Championships, so no qualification was granted through it.
- Australia qualified four of five relay teams, including men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m.
- India’s men’s and mixed 4x400m relay teams failed to qualify after missing the top two in their heats
