The United States produced an utterly dominant performance to take gold in the women’s 4x400m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on Sunday (21), setting a championship record of 3:16.61 on the rain-soaked track at the Japan National Stadium. Silver went to Jamaica with 3:19.25, while the Netherlands took bronze with 3:20.18.
Such was the dominance of the US display, all four of their athletes recorded the quickest splits on their respective legs, with Isabella Whittaker leading them off in 50.12, handing over to Lynna Irby-Jackson, who extended their advantage to around 10 metres at halfway after a 48.71 second leg.
Aaliyah Butler built that lead further with a 49.96 third leg and when she handed over to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the individual 400m champion was able to enjoy a virtual lap of honour on the anchor leg – though she clocked a blazing 47.82 to carry them to victory in fine style.
It proved sweet salvation for the US team, which had faced disqualification in Budapest two years ago for passing the baton outside the takeover zone, and it added to their Olympic title in Paris last year.
Jamaica was highly impressive in second with their opening trio Dejanea Oakley, Stacey Ann Williams and Andrenette Knight building a 10-metre lead over the Netherlands in the race for silver, and anchor runner Nickisha Pryce producing a brilliant final leg of 48.50 to keep the Dutch at bay.
The Netherlands surrendered their world title but their quartet of Eveline Saalberg, Lieke Klaver, Lisanne De Witte and Femke Bol seemed delighted with bronze, with Klaver’s 49.08 the quickest of their splits ahead of Bol’s 49.10.
Next in was Belgium (3:22.15), with Poland fifth in 3:22.91 and Norway sixth in a national record of 3:23.71, with Henriette Jaeger splitting 49.53 on anchor.
More to follow…