Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team endured a heartbreaking exit at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after a botched baton exchange between Ryiem Forde and anchor Kishane Thompson ended their campaign prematurely.
The mishap, which occurred on the final handover, saw the pre-race favourites record a Did Not Finish (DNF) and crash out of the heats, stunning fans and reshaping the medal picture.
In the first heat, Canada executed flawless baton exchanges to secure victory in a season-best 37.85 seconds. Anchored by Olympic star Andre De Grasse, the Canadian team held off the United States (37.98), who were missing Noah Lyles but still advanced. Germany (38.12) also booked their place in the final, while France (38.34) and Belgium (38.46) qualified on time.
Kenya, represented by Boniface Ontuga Mweresa, Steve Odhiambo Onyango, Meshack Kitsubuli Babu, and Mark Otieno Odhiambo, finished sixth in 38.56 seconds, short of a qualifying spot. Despite showing determination, their exchanges and reaction times could not match the speed of the frontrunners.
Jamaica, meanwhile, were left devastated as their failed baton change cost them a chance at glory.
The second heat delivered the headline moment of the night as Ghana stormed to a sensational national record of 37.79 seconds. The quartet of Ibrahim Fuseini, Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah, and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu ran a near-perfect race, finishing ahead of the Netherlands (37.95) and host nation Japan (38.07).
South Africa and Great Britain, both expected to contend, faltered with sloppy baton changes and failed to progress. A collision involving Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs also disrupted South Africa’s rhythm, forcing them to lodge a protest after failing to finish.
Men’s 4x400m: USA Out, Botswana and South Africa Dominate
In another shock, reigning Olympic champions USA were eliminated in the men’s 4x400m relay after a disastrous third-leg baton exchange saw them cross in 3:01.06 for sixth place in their heat. The mishap ended their hopes of defending their world crown from 2023.
South Africa capitalized in the same heat, clinching victory in 2:58.81, followed by Qatar in a national record 3:00.15 and the Netherlands in 3:00.23.
Heat 2 was all about Botswana, who ran 2:57.68, powered by Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo on the third leg. Belgium followed in 2:57.98, while Australia’s initial third-place finish was wiped out after a takeover violation. Their disqualification promoted Great Britain (2:58.11) into the final.
Jamaica (2:59.13) and Portugal (2:59.70 NR) advanced as the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
Women’s 4x400m: Jamaica and USA Lead the Charge
Jamaica found joy in the women’s 4x400m heats after the heartbreak of their men’s team. The quartet produced a world-leading 3:22.77, anchored by Nikisha Pryce’s brilliant final leg, to book their place in the final. Norway (3:23.84 NR) and Poland (3:24.39) followed them home.
The USA, reigning world champions, underlined their dominance in Heat 2 with a commanding 3:22.53, winning by nearly 50 meters. Belgium (3:23.96) and the Netherlands (3:24.03) joined them in the final, while France (3:24.33) and Italy (3:24.71) advanced as non-automatic qualifiers.
Great Britain, despite entering as second favorites on paper, faded badly and finished last in their heat in 3:25.84.
Women’s 4x100m: Redemption for Jamaica, USA Set World Lead
Jamaica bounced back in style in the women’s 4x100m relay, sprinting to victory in their heat in 41.80 seconds. The performance restored national pride after the men’s mishap, with Spain (42.53) and France (42.71) trailing behind to secure automatic qualification.
The USA laid down a statement in the other heat, clocking a world-leading 41.60 with seamless baton exchanges. Germany (41.86) and Great Britain (41.88), anchored by Daryll Neita, also advanced comfortably.
Elsewhere, Canada (42.38 NR) and Poland (42.83) claimed the remaining final spots.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, where emerging teams will be looking to seize the opportunity left open by the absence of Jamaica.
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