Tokyo (Japan), Sep 21 (NationPress) Melissa Jefferson-Wooden concluded an impressive journey by securing her third gold medal on Sunday, leading the United States to triumph in the women's 4x100-meter relay during a rain-soaked finale at the World Athletics Championships held at the National Stadium here.

Already a two-time sprint champion in Tokyo, Jefferson-Wooden initiated the race for a U.S. team that included Twanisha Terry, Kayla White, and Sha'Carri Richardson. The team finished in 41.75 seconds, narrowly defeating Jamaica by just 0.04 seconds. The Jamaican team, featuring Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, and Jonielle Smith, achieved a season's best of 41.79, while Germany secured bronze with a time of 41.87.

"It's incredible to return home with three gold medals," Jefferson-Wooden expressed. "I've etched my name into the history books once more. I am exactly where I aspire to be."

After the race, Jefferson-Wooden shared a heartfelt moment with Fraser-Pryce, who now boasts 19 medals – 10 golds, 8 silvers, and 1 bronze – across nine world championships, according to reports from Xinhua.

"I’ve had a remarkable career, and today’s medal is the cherry on top," said the Jamaican sprint legend. "It feels like a full-circle moment. I was merely a reserve at my first world championships in Osaka in 2007, and I couldn’t have asked for a better journey. I am grateful for the medals, the stadiums, and the audiences that have supported me throughout my career."

The United States concluded the event in a commanding style, clinching four gold medals on the final day to lead the medal table with a total of 16 titles.

Noah Lyles secured his seventh career world gold, anchoring the men's 4x100m relay team to victory after Jamaica encountered a baton issue in qualifying, resulting in Canada winning silver and the Netherlands taking bronze.

"We fulfilled our role," stated Lyles. "This is fantastic. I am humbled. We have faced challenges with the baton in the past, but I’m extremely proud to be part of this relay team."

The U.S. also triumphed in the women's 4x400m relay, setting a championship record of 3:16.61, with Jamaica in second and the Netherlands in third.

In the men's 4x400m, Botswana achieved a remarkable upset as Busang Collen Kebinatshipi surged ahead of U.S. hurdler Rai Benjamin in the final meters, capturing Botswana's first world relay title alongside 100m silver medalist Letsile Tebogo. South Africa, led by world record-holder Wayde van Niekerk, took bronze.

Another highlight for the U.S. came in the men's 5,000m, where Cole Hocker, the 2024 Olympic 1,500m champion, clocked 12:58.30 to earn his first world title. Belgium's Isaac Kimeli finished with silver, while France's Jimmy Gressier added bronze to his earlier 10,000m title.

Additionally, Kenya's Lilian Odira won the women's 800m, finishing ahead of Great Britain's Georgia Hunter Bell and Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson.

In the women's high jump, Australia's Nicola Olyslagers cleared 2.00 meters to win her first world title. Poland's Maria Zodzik, also clearing 2.00m, earned silver on countback, while Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh from Ukraine and Serbian teenager Angelina Topic shared bronze at 1.97m.

Germany's Leo Neugebauer clinched the men's decathlon with 8,072 points, narrowly beating American Kyle Garland (8,075) and Puerto Rico's Ayden Owens-Delerme (7,958).

In the men's discus throw, delayed by heavy rain, Sweden's Daniel Stahl, the 2021 Olympic champion, made a dramatic final throw of 70.47 meters to capture gold from Lithuania's Mykolas Alekna (67.84).

By the end of the competition, the United States topped the medal table with 16 golds, 5 silvers, and 5 bronzes. Kenya secured second place with seven titles, while Canada rounded out the top three with three. China earned two silvers and two bronzes, and host Japan garnered two bronzes. No Asian country or region claimed a gold medal.

The upcoming World Athletics Championships are set to take place in Beijing in 2027.