KIshane Thompson (right) and Oblique Seville, two of the men Jamaica will be depending on to bring them medals in the men’s 4×100 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
THERE SHOULD be fireworks in the men’s 4×100-metre relay in Tokyo as the two most successful nations in the event at the World Championships, the United States and Jamaica, prepare to scorch the track in what promises to be a memorable clash.
The United States, with nine titles, and Jamaica, with four, have dominated this event. Both countries will parade some of the world’s fastest men over the flat 100 metres, and one of them is expected to add another individual crown to their tally.
South Africa enter as world leaders with their 37.61-second victory at the World Relays, ahead of the United States’s 37.66. Jamaica, who left it late to qualify for Tokyo, posted 37.80 at the London Diamond League and come in as the third-fastest team.
Jamaica will be led by the world’s fastest man this season, Kishane Thompson (9.75). He will be joined by Oblique Seville (9.83), Ackeem Blake (9.88), and either Ryiem Forde or Rohan Watson, who led off in London.
The United States should line up with world number two Kenneth Bednarek (9.79), T’Mars McCallum (9.83), Christian Coleman (9.84), and Noah Lyles.
Jamaica could have benefited from world number three Bryan Levell (9.82), but his handlers confirmed earlier that he would not be available, preferring him to focus on the individual 200 metres.
The Jamaicans last won in 2015 in Beijing , their fourth consecutive victory in an era dominated by Usain Bolt. Hungry to return to the top, they will be eyeing another golden moment.
Lyles, despite not yet at his sharpest, anchored the US to victory in Budapest and will be eager to lead his team to back-to-back titles. His experience on anchor could prove decisive.
Japan, with a season’s best 37.84, as well as Australia and the Netherlands, each with 37.87, are also in contention, but this race looks set to boil down to execution between the US and Jamaica.
Fans are especially excited to see Thompson and Lyles clash on the anchor leg. With both men closing, a sub-37-second clocking could very well be in the making.
This one is too close to call. The US, with the explosive Coleman on the lead leg, are given the slightest of edges. But one mistimed exchange could swing the title Jamaica’s way. Either way, the world is bracing for a relay thriller.
Top-three prediction
1. US
2. Jamaica
3. Japan
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