Kenya’s 4x400m mixed relay squad dominantly announced itself on Day One of the World Relay Championships in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday by obliterating the African record.
The quartet of George Mutinda, Mercy Oketch, Kelvin Tonui and Mercy Chebet stopped the clock in a blistering 3:09.87 to carve a new continental benchmark.
Their stunning run eclipsed the previous mark of 3:11.16 set by South Africa in 2025.
In Gaborone, Kenya crossed the line behind Great Britain, which timed a world-leading 3:09.69in Heat Three. Italy completed the podium in 3:10.60.
Apart from rewriting the African record books, Kenya also secured its ticket to the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, set for next year.
From the opening day of qualifiers, the first two teams across the finish line in each heat automatically sealed their places in Beijing. The 4x400m mixed relay team was Kenya’s only direct qualifier to the global showpiece from Day One.
Kenya had opened their campaign in the mixed 4x100m relay, where the quartet of Moses Wasike, Millicent Ndoro, Dennis Mwai and Mercy Oketch clocked a season’s best 41.35 in heat three.
Jamaica blazed to a world record 39.99, while Great Britain (40.72) and Australia (40.78) completed the podium places.
How did Kenya’s 4x100m team perform in World Relay Championships?
After the mixed 4x400m fireworks, the men’s 4x100m took centre stage, with Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala teaming up with Mark Otieno, Ronald Koech and Meshack Babu to clock a season’s best 38.50 for fifth place in Heat Three.
Canada stormed to a world-leading 37.56, with Germany (37.67) and Australia (37.87) securing second and third, respectively.
The women’s 4x400m squad faltered in their bid for a podium finish, placing eighth in Heat Two after posting 3:35.90.
The men’s 4x400m team also endured a difficult outing, finishing sixth in Heat Two in 3:02.70.
For the Kenyan teams that failed to punch their tickets to Beijing, redemption awaits them on Day Two in Gaborone on Sunday, where another chance to secure global berths will be up for grabs.
