Work to do

IT was mixed feelings for Technical Leader Maurice Wilson after Jamaica broke the mixed 4x100m relay world record but only three of the six teams qualified for the finals at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday.

Both mixed relay teams qualified for today’s finals, as did the women’s 4x100m team. But both 4x400m teams and the men’s 4x100m failed to advance.

Jamaica’s quartet of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson, and Tia Clayton ran 39.99 seconds to become the first country to go below 40 seconds in the mixed 4x100m relay.

Canada, which held the previous world record of 40.30, lowered it to 40.07 in winning heat one. The United States won heat two in 40.36.

With the man-woman-man-woman format, Blake started and passed to Tina Clayton on the backstretch. The exchange to Goldson was not clean but the final change to Tia Clayton was completed and she carried the team to the record.

“I would not say I’m pleased with everything; it’s a work in progress. A world record is a tremendous accomplishment but we still have work to be done,” Wilson said.

“Overall, we qualified three teams, two of which are very difficult to qualify after the championships, so goal one achieved. The other three teams, based on times, are in a good position once they run well in the repechage round tomorrow,” he said.

WILSON…I would not say I’m pleased with everything; it’s a work-in-progress (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The mixed 4x400m relay team of Deandre Watkins, Shana-Kaye Anderson, Antonio Watson and Rushell Clayton clocked 3:11.68 minutes in winning their heat. It was the ninth-fastest time overall. Great Britain led with 3:09.69, followed by the United States with 3:09.82.

The women’s 4x100m team qualified for the final with 41.96, the fastest time. The team of Shericka Jackson, Jodean Williams, Levanya Williams and Jonielle Smith is expected to include Elaine Thompson-Herah in the final.

The United States ran 43.33 and did not advance. Spain (42.26) and Germany (42.44) also qualified.

The Jamaican men’s 4x100m team, without Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville, finished fourth in 38.06 and did not advance. Canada won the heat in 37.56. Germany were second in 37.67. The United States ran 37.77 to win heat one.

Both 4x400m teams did not advance. The women’s team of Andrenette Knight, Leah Anderson, Janielle Josephs and Shiann Salmon ran 3:27.19 and finished fifth in heat one. Spain won in 3:24.44. Jamaica were 11th overall.

In the men’s 4x400m relay, Assinie Wilson, Jevaughn Powell, Jeremy Bembridge and Raheem Hayles finished fifth in 3:00.48. Australia won in 2:57.30, ahead of Botswana in 2:57.52.

The top eight teams qualified for the finals and secured spots at the 2027 World Championships. The remaining teams will compete in the repechage on Sunday for six more places. Two additional teams will qualify based on world rankings.

From left: Jamaica’s Antonio Watson, Rushell Clayton, Shana Kaye Anderson, and Deandre Watkin celebrate qualifying for the mixed 4x400m final at the World Athletics Championships, after competing in the heats at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday.AFP