USA, Spain and South Africa claim 4x400m titles in Guangzhou

The USA chopped more than a second off the championship record they set last year, winning the mixed 4x400m at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 in 3:09.54.

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It was redemption of sorts for the world record-holders, who missed out on gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but here in Guangzhou their dominance was on full display as they won by almost three seconds.

The race was close at the half-way point with Australia and Kenya both contending for the lead alongside the USA. But a 44.16 effort from Johnnie Blockburger on the third leg gave the USA a comfortable lead ahead of Australia and Kenya.

Lynna Irby-Jackson, a regular fixture on USA's relay teams in recent years, extended the lead on the final leg with a stunning 49.53 split, crossing the line in 3:09.54, the eighth-fastest performance in history.

Australia finished second in an Oceanian record of 3:12.20 and Kenya held on to third place in 3:13.10 ahead of world and Olympic medallists Great Britain & NI (3:14.74).

Earlier in the session, Spain and Italy won their respective heats in the second World Championships qualifying round.

Host nation China got off to a terrific start in the first heat with an opening leg of 44.91 from Liang Baotang. Germany, Jamaica and Spain were all in close contention on the following legs until Spain's Blanca Hervas pulled clear on the final stage to win for Spain in a national record of 3:12.55. Germany (3:13.35) and China (3:13.39) claimed the other World Championship qualifying spots, the latter with a national record.

The second heat was a three-way tussle between Italy, France and Canada. Less than half a second separated the three nations at the end as they claimed the coveted top three spots, Italy winning in 3:12.53 ahead of France (3:12.66) and Canada, who set a national record of 3:12.95.

South Africa gains revenge in men's 4x400m

Less than half an hour after winning the men's 4x100m, South Africa notched up another victory, this time in the men's 4x400m.