World Athletics C’ships: United States wins three of four relay titles on final day in Tokyo (round-up)
The United States showed off their relay dominance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday, grabbing three out of four gold medals on the final day. But Botswana stole the spotlight with an upset win in the men’s 4x400m relay, finishing in 2:57.76 to beat the Americans by a razor-thin 0.07 seconds. South Africa grabbed bronze.
Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi ran a smart final leg despite the tough weather. “I had to be strategic out there,” he said. “Crossing the finish line first feels amazing—I’m heading home with two gold medals and so grateful.” Teammate Letsile Tebogo added, “We dreamed of this world championship moment. It took real courage.”
The U.S. women bounced back strong in the 4x400m relay. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone anchored with a blazing 47.82 seconds, leading her team to a championship record of 3:16.61. Jamaica took silver in 3:19.25, and the Netherlands earned bronze at 3:20.18.
In the women’s 4x100m relay, the Americans edged Jamaica 41.75 to 41.79 for gold. Germany snagged bronze in 41.87. U.S. sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden beamed, “Winning three golds is wild. I’ve added my name to the history books again—I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Noah Lyles sealed another U.S. victory in the men’s 4x100m relay, bringing home gold in a world-leading 37.29 seconds. Canada finished second in 37.55, and the Netherlands set a national record of 37.81 for bronze.
### Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers Leaps to Women’s High Jump Gold
Australian high jumper Nicola Olyslagers claimed her first world title Sunday, clearing 2.00 meters to win on countback. This victory builds on her Olympic silver from Tokyo in 2021.
Poland’s Maria Zodzik matched the height with a personal best for silver in her big global breakout. Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the reigning world and Olympic champion, and Serbia’s Angelina Topic shared bronze at 1.97 meters.
### U.S. Runner Cole Hocker Storms to Men’s 5,000m Victory
American Cole Hocker, fresh off his 1,500m Olympic gold in Paris 2024, powered through the pack to win the men’s 5,000m in 12:58.30—his first world championships title at age 24. (He’d been disqualified in the 1,500m final here but stayed confident.)
“I had runners ahead, but I felt strong enough to pick them off one by one,” Hocker said. “I raced perfectly today. The 5,000m pushes me way out of my comfort zone—1,500m is my specialty, but I’ll tackle the 5K again next worlds. I aimed for both golds, but one feels great.”
Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli took silver in 12:58.78, and France’s Jimmy Gressier grabbed bronze in 12:59.33, adding to his 10,000m win.
### Kenya’s Lilian Odira Sets Record in Women’s 800m
Kenyan runner Lilian Odira surged to the women’s 800m gold Sunday, clocking a championship record 1:54.62. The 26-year-old, in her World Athletics Championships debut, pulled ahead in the final straight—where all top three broke 1:55.
“The 800m is super tactical—I just followed the pace without big expectations,” Odira said. “Leaving as world champion means everything to me.”
Great Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell earned silver with a personal best of 1:54.90. Teammate Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic champ, settled for bronze.
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