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Eduan, Simbine shine at world relays

rugby11 May 2025 14:30| © AFP
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Success Eduan lived up to her name by anchoring Britain to a thrilling victory in the 4x100m at the world relays in Guangzhou on Sunday as Akani Simbine led South Africa to victory in the men's event.

Eduan produced a thrilling final leg to outpace Jamaica's Shericka Jackson and Twanisha Terry of the United States for gold along with teammates Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Amy Hunt and Bianca Williams.

Spain snatched a shock silver in 42.28sec, with the Jamaican quartet also featuring multi-medalled Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce taking bronze (42.33), just five-hundredths ahead of the US team.

South Africa had in-form Simbine, winner of the two opening Diamond League 100m races this season, to thank for an electric anchor leg as he powered past Brandon Hicklin for gold in the men's 4x100m relay.

The team also featuring Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile and Bradley Nkoana clocked a world leading time of 37.61sec.

The US took silver in 37.66sec, with Canada, featuring the same quartet who won gold in last year's Paris Olympics, claiming bronze.

There was another upset in the women's 4x400m relay, with Spain pushing the US team, the defending Olympic champions, into second.

Spanish anchor leg Blanca Hervas was overtaken on the final lap but she held her nerve to slowly reel back in a flagging Bailey Lear.

Paula Sevilla ran the first leg for Spain, just minutes after taking part in the 4x100m relay, Eva Santidrian and Daniela Fra completing the winning line-up as they timed 3:24.13.

The US took silver in 3:24.72 with South Africa rounding out the podium in 3:24.84.

The South Africans brought two days of competition – which also served as qualifiers for the world athletics championships in Tokyo in September – to an end with gold in the men's 4x400m relay.

The quartet of Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Zakithi Nene raced home in 2:57.50.

Alexander Doom produced his trademark late push to guarantee silver for Belgium in 2:58.19, with Botswana taking bronze (2:58.27).

The US foursome of Chris Robinson, Courtney Okolo, Johnnie Blockburger and Lynna Irby-Jackson earlier claimed gold in the mixed 4x400m relay in a championship record of 3:09.54.

And the Canadian quartet of Sade McCreath, Marie-Eloise Leclair, Duan Asemota and Eliezer Adjibi topped the podium ahead of Jamaica and Britain in the mixed 4x100m relay, winning in 40.30sec.

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