Today in Guangzhou, the Tokyo 25 Relay Qualifiers roared into life as eight teams punched their tickets for next September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
These qualifiers represent the first taste of drama and speed from five relay events at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 meet.
A Fast Track to Tokyo
A total of 14 teams in each of the women’s and men’s 4×100 m and 4×400 m, plus the mixed 4×400 m, will earn automatic spots for Tokyo.
On day one, the cut was brutally simple in the men’s sprints: the top two from each of four heats in both the 4×100 m and 4×400 m secured their finals berths — and their travel visas to Tokyo. In the women’s 4×100 m, women’s 4×400 m and the mixed 4×400 m, fate favoured the first two in each of three heats plus the next two fastest squads overall.
Three nations topped the leaderboard in terms of quantity: Great Britain & Northern Ireland, South Africa and the USA each locked in four relay teams this weekend, setting themselves up as relays heavyweights for Tokyo.
Heats Highlights
- Mixed 4×100 m debut: The session opened with the mixed 4×100 m making its global bow in Guangzhou.
- Mixed 4×400 m opener: USA lived up to their billing, winning by over a second and booking their Tokyo spot.
- Women’s 4×400 m: The USA again led the way in round one.
- Men’s 4×400 m: South Africa set the pace at the front of the pack.
- Women’s 4×100 m: Spain surprised the field with a new national record, surging into the top two.
- Men’s 4×100 m: Both South Africa and Japan crossed the line in a tied world-leading time to claim victory in their respective heats.
Teams Qualified for Tokyo Finals on Sunday
Women’s 4×100m
Belgium, Canada, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Jamaica, Netherlands, Spain, United States
Men’s 4×100m
Canada, Italy, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Japan, Poland, South Africa, United States
Women’s 4×400m
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Spain, United States
Men’s 4×400m
Belgium, Botswana, China, France, Great Britain & NI, Kenya, Portugal, South Africa
Mixed 4×400m
Australia, Belgium, Great Britain & NI, Ireland, Kenya, Poland, South Africa, United States
Stakes on Sunday
Tomorrow’s finals aren’t just about medals and prize money — they’ll also determine the coveted lane assignments at the World Championships.
Teams that miss out on top-eight finishes will get a second shot in an additional round, fighting for the last two Tokyo berths available via top-list rankings.
The Road to Tokyo Continues
Once Guangzhou has delivered its 14 automatic qualifiers per event, the final two slots in each relay discipline will be awarded based on performances posted between 25 February 2024 and 24 August 2025. Teams chasing those remaining Tokyo tickets will be watching those lists like hawks.
As the dust settles on day one of the Tokyo 25 Relay Qualifiers, the weekend promises more high-octane action.
With places in Tokyo on the line, expect world-class speed, split-second baton exchanges and a few more surprises before the curtain falls on Sunday’s finals.
