The 2025 World Athletics Relays kicked off in Guangzhou with a whirlwind of surprises, record-breaking performances, and qualification dreams secured—or dashed.
With the event doubling as a key qualifier for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo, intensity was high across all six relay disciplines. While some global powerhouses like the USA and Botswana lived up to their billing, others, most notably the U.S. men’s 4x400m squad, faltered under pressure.
Here’s a full breakdown of everything that happened on Day 1.
🇿🇦 South Africa Stuns With World-Leading Men’s 4x400m Run
South Africa threw down the gauntlet early in the men’s 4x400m, clocking a world-leading 3:00.00 in their heat. Zakithi Nene anchored the team with a scorching 43.97-second split, showing why the squad is being touted as a medal contender not just in Guangzhou, but also in Tokyo later this year.
They weren’t alone in making headlines—China’s quartet (Liang Baotang, Li Yiqing, Zhang Qining, and Fu Haoran) delivered a historic performance in front of a raucous home crowd, smashing the national record in 3:01.87 and securing both a final berth and a spot at the 2025 World Championships.
Other heat winners included Botswana (3:01.23), who showed their mettle despite Portugal’s surprise lead late in the race, and France (3:00.30), led by a clutch 44.45-second split from Loic Prevot. Belgium edged out Great Britain by just 0.03 seconds in Heat 3, courtesy of anchor Alexander Doom, who continues to prove his worth in pressure moments.
But the shock of the night? The USA men failed to qualify for the final, finishing third in their heat behind France and Kenya (3:00.88). The defending Olympic and World champions now face a do-or-die scenario on Day 2 to punch their ticket to Tokyo.
🇺🇸 Mixed 4x400m: USA and Belgium Dominate, India’s Record Falls Short
Team USA lived up to their world-record-holding status in the mixed 4x400m, cruising to a heat win in 3:11.37, the fastest time ever recorded in a World Relays heat. Their depth showed as Courtney Okolo and Chris Robinson took control in the second half before Lynna Irby-Jackson brought it home.
Belgium, a quietly consistent force in the relays, clocked 3:11.83 to win Heat 1, while Great Britain (3:13.28) edged South Africa (3:13.79) in a dramatic Heat 3 finish.
India’s mixed relay team (Jay Kumar, Sneha Kolleri, Dharmveer Choudhary, Rupal) posted a season-best 3:16.85, the fastest Asian time of the year. However, it wasn’t enough to advance, finishing fifth in their heat behind Great Britain and South Africa. They’ll get one more shot in Sunday’s repechage round.
🇪🇸 Spain Steals Spotlight in Women’s 4x400m
The Spanish women’s 4x400m squad were the breakout stars on Day 1. Paula Sevilla, already fresh off anchoring Spain’s record-setting 4x100m earlier that day, returned to help the 4x400m squad post 3:26.25, the second-fastest time of the night. That win ensured their place in both the final and the World Championships.
Meanwhile, the USA women overcame a shaky start in their heat—seventh after the first leg—thanks to strong runs by Karimah Davis (50.56) and Bailey Lear (50.47) to seal a 3:26.05 victory. France (3:26.46), Norway (3:26.61), and Canada (3:27.28) also advanced.
South Africa rounded out the finalists with a national record 3:28.01, despite Zeney van der Walt pulling a rare double-duty after also running in the mixed 4x400m just 90 minutes prior.
Notably, Great Britain, despite fielding four of their Olympic bronze medalists, were eliminated after running 3:27.47—one of the night’s bigger upsets.
🇮🇳 India’s Men Miss Direct Qualification, Despite Personal Best Splits
India’s men’s 4x400m team clocked 3:03.92, finishing fifth in Heat 4. There were bright spots—Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi clocked a 44.86-second split, the fastest in his heat—but the team lacked the depth needed to challenge the frontrunners.
They’ll also need to regroup quickly for Sunday’s second-chance heats if they hope to make it to Tokyo.
Day 1 Highlights Summary:
Qualified for Men’s 4x400m Final + Tokyo 2025
- South Africa (3:00.00)
- China (3:01.87)
- Botswana (3:01.23)
- Portugal (3:01.78)
- Belgium (3:01.35)
- Great Britain (3:01.38)
- France (3:00.30)
- Kenya (3:00.88)
Qualified for Mixed 4x400m Final + Tokyo 2025
- USA (3:11.37)
- Ireland (3:12.56)
- Poland (3:12.70)
- Belgium (3:11.83)
- Australia (3:12.34)
- Kenya (3:13.41)
- Great Britain (3:13.28)
- South Africa (3:13.79)
Qualified for Women’s 4x400m Final + Tokyo 2025
- USA (3:26.05)
- France (3:26.46)
- Norway (3:26.61)
- Canada (3:27.28)
- Spain (3:26.25)
- Italy (3:27.03)
- South Africa (3:28.01)
- Germany (3:28.63)
What to Watch on Day 2
- Will the USA men’s 4x400m redeem themselves?
- Can India punch a ticket to Tokyo in both remaining chances?
- Who will claim the final six World Championships spots in each event?
Day 1 set the tone, but Day 2 will separate the contenders from the nearly-qualified. Stay tuned.
