Wilson lauds performances, effort of World Relays team

Maurice Wilson, technical leader of Jamaica’s team at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, has lauded the country’s athletes for their outstanding performances at last weekend’s championships, where they topped the medal standings.

Jamaica finished with two gold medals and one silver, edging the United States, who secured two gold and a bronze. The country's performance was highlighted by a sensational world record in the 4x100m mixed relay.

The quartet of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson, and Tia Clayton stopped the clock in 39.62 seconds to win gold, shattering their previous world record of 39.99 set just a day earlier. Canada finished second in 40.23, while the United States were third in a season’s best 40.33.

“I think the entire team is very happy about the performance. I mean, over the years we have not necessarily been able to target this meet because a number of our more elite athletes have not been available,” said Wilson.

“This year, however, we were able to because we had a system in place that saw a number of our 4x100 metres athletes practising. So we were able to nullify the effect, especially on the female side,” he said.

“When you look at the team itself, it was a quality team and our closest opposition was Canada, who also had a quality team. But I think the individuals on that mixed relay team delivered; and they were very convinced that they had the ability to get the work done, and they put in the necessary practice and it showed,” Wilson added.

Jamaica’s second gold medal came in the women’s 4x100m relay, where a team led by Elaine Thompson-Herah stormed to victory in 42.00 seconds. The quartet also featured Briana Williams, Jodean Williams, and Lavanya Williams.

The team added a silver medal in the 4x400m relay, with Deandre Watkin, Shana Kaye Anderson, Antonio Watson, and Rushell Clayton combining for a national-record 3:08.24, finishing behind the United States, who won in 3:07.47. The three-medal haul marked an improvement on last year’s return of one silver and one bronze.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m team rebounded from an earlier setback to secure qualification for the 2027 World Championships. The team of Rohan Watson, Odaine McPherson, Adrian Kerr, and Rasheed Foster clocked 38.14 to win their repechage heat ahead of Belgium and Nigeria.

There was, however, disappointment in the men’s 4x400m relay, where Assinie Wilson, Jeremy Bembridge, Jevaughn Powell, and Raheem Hayles finished fourth in 3:01.63, missing automatic qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.

Wilson explained that strategic decisions were made to prioritise qualification in key events.

“On the male side, we just knew that we had to try to qualify the team and that was exactly what we did; everybody knows that we have been suffering. if we don't have our best 400-metre persons available, then it is going to be difficult," he said. 

"So what we did was to prioritise qualifying the mixed relays, because we have seen in the past where it is difficult to get meets for these races to qualify, and so we were able to do that and come out with a world record. So topping the world again would have put the icing on the cake.”

Despite the setback, Wilson praised the effort of the men’s 4x400m squad.

“I think the guys ran three minutes flat and I think that was a very good effort in the first round, and in the second round, one or two didn't execute as how we would want. But I think they did their best, and a lot of them are not in the shape we would want and they decided that they are going to try to do their best for their country; and so, we have to just congratulate the efforts," he said.

Photo Caption B1 (Third) Tia Clayton: Jamaica’s Tia Clayton (right) runs away from teammate Kadrian Goldson after taking the baton before streaking away to win the mixed 4x100m relay at the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone in Botswana in a world record 39.62 seconds, on Sunday. (Courtesy of World Athletics)