In a remarkable finale to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Noah Lyles made a compelling statement by anchoring the U.S. men’s 4×100 relay team to victory, securing the nation’s 16th gold medal of the competition. The team clocked in at 37.29 seconds, marking the fifth-fastest time ever recorded and the fastest in the world since 2019. This triumph solidified Team USATF’s position as the preeminent track and field team globally, with an impressive 26 total medals, far surpassing previous records for golds.
Lyles, who had won gold in the 200 meters earlier in the week, helped lead the U.S. to its tenth team victory in the relay’s history at the World Championships. Christian Coleman set the pace with a dominant leadoff leg, handing the baton to Kenny Bednarek, who faced a tense moment due to a close call with a competing runner from the Netherlands. Nevertheless, Bednarek surged past the field, passing to Courtney Lindsey, who maintained the lead. Lyles then had a clear run to the finish, crossing the line with a substantial gap ahead of the runner-up team from Canada, as the Netherlands earned a national record in bronze position.
Team USATF continued to shine with its women’s 4×400 team, which included 400 champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The squad led the race from the start, with Isabella Whittaker blazing through her lead leg. Lynna Irby-Jackson followed with a phenomenal split, setting a solid foundation for Aaliyah Butler and, finally, McLaughlin-Levrone, who delivered a record-breaking anchor leg. The team finished with a time of 3:16.61, establishing a new meet record and surpassing their competitors by over two seconds.
In an exciting and tension-filled women’s 4×100 relay, American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden faced off against Jamaican icon Shelly Fraser-Pryce in the opening leg. The competition remained fierce, with the U.S. ultimately gaining the upper hand and finishing with a time of 41.75 seconds to secure gold. Jamaica claimed silver, while Germany took bronze.
Conditions for the men’s 5000 meters were relatively favorable compared to earlier races, leading to a competitive contest. American athletes Grant Fisher and Nico Young set a strong pace, but it was Cole Hocker who delivered a stunning final lap performance, finishing with a strong kick that earned him gold in 12:58.30, marking the first American victory in this event since 2007.
The U.S. men’s 4×400 relay faced challenges from the heavily favored Botswana team. Despite adverse weather conditions, Vernon Norwood delivered an excellent lead leg, passing off to his teammates with a slight lead. However, the U.S. ultimately fell short, finishing with a silver medal just fractions ahead of South Africa in a fiercely contested finish.
In the decathlon, Kyle Garland, who had led after the first day, struggled to maintain his position during the second day but still earned a bronze medal with 8,703 points. The closely contested event saw Leo Neugebauer of Germany emerge as the champion by a mere 20 points.
Finally, Sage Hurta-Klecker’s performance in the women’s 800 meters stood out as she competed against world-class runners. Although she finished in fifth place, her time of 1:55.89 was a personal best, making her the third-fastest American woman in history.
Altogether, the championships proved historic for Team USATF, not just in terms of medal counts but also in broken records and performances that will resonate in the annals of track and field.
