Tokyo (Japan), Sep 21 (NationPress) The United States showcased their dominance in sprinting by securing three out of four relay gold medals on the concluding day of the World Athletics Championships held here on Sunday. In a thrilling finish, Botswana stunned the crowd by winning the men's 4x400m relay with a time of 2 minutes 57.76 seconds, narrowly beating the Americans by just 0.07 seconds, while South Africa claimed the bronze.

“I had to run the most strategic leg because of the weather,” remarked Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi. “I am thrilled to have crossed the finish line first and grateful for my two gold medals.”

Teammate Letsile Tebogo added, “We came here with dreams of becoming world champions. It took immense courage to achieve this.”

The U.S. women responded superbly in the 4x400m relay, where Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's remarkable 47.82-second anchor leg clinched victory in a championship record time of 3:16.61. Jamaica finished in second place with a time of 3:19.25, followed by the Netherlands in third at 3:20.18.

The Americans also excelled in the women's 4x100m relay, finishing first in 41.75 seconds, just edging out Jamaica (41.79) for the gold, while Germany took bronze with a time of 41.87, reports Xinhua.

“It’s unbelievable to be going home with three gold medals. I’ve etched my name into history once again. I am exactly where I want to be,” expressed Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.

In the men's 4x100m, Noah Lyles anchored the U.S. team to gold with a world-leading time of 37.29 seconds. Canada secured second place with 37.55 seconds, while the Netherlands set a national record of 37.81 to take bronze.

Olyslagers Wins Women's High Jump Gold

Australian athlete Nicola Olyslagers claimed the women's high jump title on Sunday, clearing 2.00 meters to earn her first world championship title on countback. This win adds a coveted world title to her Olympic silver from Tokyo 2021.

Poland’s Maria Zodzik also achieved a personal best by clearing 2.00 meters, securing the silver medal in her breakthrough performance on the international stage.

Reigning champion and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine and Serbia’s rising star Angelina Topic both cleared 1.97 meters to share the bronze medal.

American Hocker Wins Men's 5,000m Title

American Cole Hocker clinched victory in the men’s 5,000 meters final at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who previously won gold in the 1,500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, recorded a time of 12 minutes 58.30 seconds to earn his first world championship title.

Hocker, who faced disqualification from the 1,500m final, expressed confidence ahead of this competition.

“I had a lot of bodies ahead of me, but I felt strong enough to pass them one by one,” he stated. “I felt like I raced perfectly today. The 5,000m presents a different challenge.”

“Every time I run the 5,000m, I step out of my comfort zone. The 1,500m remains my specialty, but I aim to compete in the 5k again at the next world championships. My goal was to win both, but I will gladly settle for one.”

Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli closely followed in 12:58.78, while France’s Jimmy Gressier clinched bronze in 12:59.33, adding to his 10,000m title.

Kenya's Odira Wins Women's 800m with Championship Record

Kenya’s Lilian Odira captured the women’s 800 meters title on Sunday, setting a championship record of one minute 54.62 seconds. The 26-year-old surged ahead in the final stretch to claim the title in a race where the top three athletes all finished under one minute and 55 seconds.

“The 800m is always tactical; I had no expectations and just followed the race pace,” shared Odira. “This is my first World Championships, and I am incredibly grateful to leave as the world champion.”

Great Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell earned the silver in 1:54.90, achieving a personal best, while her compatriot Keely Hodgkinson, the reigning Olympic champion, secured the bronze.