Botswana make history with 4x400m relay gold as US clinch women’s title

ISLAMABAD: Botswana delivered a sensational performance to claim gold in the men’s 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday, making history as the first African nation to win the event.

Competing in relentless rain, Botswana edged out the United States and South Africa in a dramatic blanket finish, clocking 2:57.76. The US, who had narrowly qualified for the final by beating Kenya in a Sunday morning run-off, led at the final changeover.

However, Collen Kebinatshipi, the 21-year-old individual 400m world champion, anchored Botswana to victory with a stunning final leg.

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The US team, featuring four fresh athletes from the morning qualifier, finished second in 2:57.83, just two-thousandths of a second ahead of South Africa, who recorded the same official time.

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In the women’s final that followed, the United States returned to dominance. Anchored by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the individual 400m champion, the American team secured gold in 3:16.61.

Jamaica stayed close through the opening lap, but Lynna Irby-Jackson’s powerful second leg gave the US a lead that was never relinquished. The Jamaicans held on for silver in 3:19.25, while defending champions the Netherlands—led by 400m hurdles gold medallist Femke Bol on the final leg—settled for bronze in 3:20.18.