Kenya Wins Relay Bronze, Secures Tokyo World Championships Spots at World Athletics Relays!

In summary:

Kenya’s mixed 4x400m team won a bronze medal at the World Athletics Relays in China.
This win also secured them a spot in the World Championships in Tokyo.
Kenya’s men’s 4x100m team qualified for Worlds for the first time in 42 years, and the men’s 4x400m team also qualified.

Kenya had a great showing at the World Athletics Relays in China, winning a bronze medal in the mixed 4x400m relay. This medal also means they will compete in the World Championships in Tokyo. In a historic achievement, the Kenyan men’s 4x100m relay team qualified for the World Championships for the first time in 42 years. The men’s 4x400m team also earned their place in Tokyo. These results show that Kenya’s sprint and relay teams are getting stronger, adding to the nation’s reputation in athletics.

Kenya Takes Bronze in Mixed Relay

Kenya’s mixed 4x400m team won a bronze medal at the World Athletics Relays in China. Photo courtesy.

Kenyan athletes experienced a successful weekend at the 2025 World Athletics Relay Championships held in China, highlighted by a bronze medal in the mixed 4x400m relay and the qualification of three teams for the World Championships scheduled for Tokyo.

This performance marks a significant improvement for the nation’s relay program, especially after a less successful outing in the Bahamas the previous year. Sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala lauded the weekend as “our best yet” for the Kenyan contingent.

The mixed 4x400m relay team, comprising Mercy Adongo Oketch, David Sanayek, Mercy Chebet, and Brian Onyari Tinega, secured Kenya’s sole medal at the championships. Their third-place finish, achieved in a season-best time of 3:13.10, earned them a spot on the podium and a guaranteed place at the World Championships in Tokyo in September 2025.

This bronze medal represents Kenya’s first relay medal at a global event since the 2019 World Relays in Yokohama, a moment of considerable pride for a nation predominantly recognized for its excellence in distance running.

David Sanayek, who ran the crucial opening leg for the team, expressed his elation. “We are incredibly grateful for this medal, especially after the disappointment of not winning any last year,” Sanayek commented. “The strong unity within our team was a key factor that propelled us to the podium.”

Mercy Adongo Oketch, the anchor runner, described the performance as “exciting” and conveyed her confidence in an even stronger showing in Tokyo. “This is just the beginning,” Oketch affirmed.

The race itself was highly competitive. The Kenyan team demonstrated resilience, holding their own against the Australian team at the halfway point. However, the United States ultimately took command, fueled by an impressive 44.16-second third leg run by Johnnie Blockburger.

American Lynna Irby-Jackson solidified their victory with a rapid 49.53-second final leg, crossing the finish line in 3:09.54, one of the fastest times recorded in the event’s history. Australia secured the silver medal, setting a new Oceanian record of 3:12.20, while Kenya maintained their position ahead of Great Britain, who finished in 3:14.74.

Historic Qualification for Men’s Teams

Kenya’s men’s 4x100m team qualified for Worlds for the first time in 42 years. Photo courtesy.

Kenya’s achievements extended beyond the mixed relay. The men’s 4x100m relay team made history by successfully qualifying for the World Championships for the first time in 42 years, signaling a significant breakthrough in this discipline for the nation.

Additionally, the men’s 4x400m team, featuring Zablon Ekwam, Kelvin Kipkorir, Boniface Mweresa, and Brian Onyari Tinega, also secured their place in Tokyo with a strong performance of 2:59.29 in Sunday’s qualifying rounds.

These accomplishments underscore Kenya’s increasing prowess in sprint and relay events, areas where historically their dominance has been less pronounced compared to their renowned middle- and long-distance runners.

Relay Success Boosts Kenya’s Athletic Standing

The World Athletics Relays, a biennial event, serve as a critical qualification pathway for teams aiming to compete in major global championships. Kenya’s performance in China indicates a positive trajectory for their relay program, attributed to enhanced training methodologies and improved team cohesion.

The results have generated considerable excitement among fans in Kenya, particularly with the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. The event in Tokyo will provide a platform for Kenya to build upon this momentum and compete against the world’s elite relay teams.

The success of the Kenyan relay teams this weekend also elevates the nation’s global standing in athletics as they look forward to the 2026 Ultimate Championship in Budapest, a new event offering a substantial Ksh1.29 billion prize purse.

For the immediate future, however, the accomplishments of the relay teams in China have provided Kenya with significant reason to celebrate their growing strength and competitiveness in the sprinting and relay disciplines.