USA Triumphs in Men's 4x400m Relay at World Championships

In a nail-biting finish at the men’s 4x400 metres relay final, the USA secured victory, narrowly defeating Botswana. Rai Benjamin, who ran the final leg, showcased his endurance against Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, the 200-metre champion. Despite a last-minute switch in the lineup, Benjamin's performance helped the USA clinch the gold with an Olympic record time of 2:54.43. Botswana, who previously won bronze in Tokyo, set an African record of 2:54.53 for silver, while Britain took bronze with a European record of 2:55.83. In the men’s high jump final, Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim settled for bronze, losing his title to New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr. Kerr expressed disbelief at his victory, which came after a dramatic jump-off against American Shelby McEwen. Both athletes cleared 2.36 metres in regular competition, but the tie led to a jump-off, where Kerr emerged victorious. He reflected on the intense competition, noting the fatigue both competitors felt after numerous jumps. Kerr's win marked a significant achievement for New Zealand in athletics, as he described the experience as surreal. The event echoed memories of the Tokyo Olympics, where Barshim shared gold with Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi. This time, both athletes welcomed the jump-off, aiming to honor the sport's history while inspiring future generations. Earlier in the day, American Masai Russell claimed the Olympic 100-metre hurdles title in a tightly contested race, edging out France's Cyrena Samba-Mayela and defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.