WU20 Lima 24 preview: relays

The World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24 will take place between 27-31 August, with more than 1700 athletes from 134 teams set to take part.

Here we take a look at the relay events at the Estadio Atletico de la Videna.

 

Women’s 4x100m

Jamaica has won this title at the past two editions of the World U20 Championships, and in 2022 in Cali their quartet turned in a spectacular performance to break the world U20 record, clocking 42.59.

With Alana Reid, Thieanna Lee Terrelonge and Shanoya Mikalia Douglas in their ranks along with sprint hurdlers Kerrica Hill and Habiba Harris, they undoubtedly possess the strength to successfully defend their title if things click in Lima.

USA should also feature strongly with the likes of Elise Cooper, Cynteria James and Taylor Snaer among those who should feature. Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Germany and Australia are among the nations to have run close to 44 seconds already this season, with Torrie Lewis likely to play a key role for the Australians and Nia Wedderburn-Goodison set to do similar for the Brits.

 

Men’s 4x100m

The last three editions of this event have featured three different nations taking victory, with USA winning in 2018, South Africa in 2021 and Japan in 2022. This year’s edition again looks wide open and it may well come down to which team gets their exchanges right.

South Africa is sure to feature, with Bradley Nkoana leading the entries for the men’s 100m with his best of 10.03 and he will be backed up by Bayanda Walaza, who’s run 10.13. Neo Modibe has also run 10.20 and they will likely be the team to beat if they get things right.

Jamaica should also be strong, featuring 10.07 athlete Gary Card and 10.16 sprinter Deandre Daley, while USA is also sure to be in contention with Jaden Wiley and Jesse Myers among their pool.

Japan should put up a strong title defence with Naoki Nishioka, Kei Wakana and Fukuto Komuro in their ranks, while Germany, Australia and Great Britain and Northern Ireland are among the other potential contenders.

 

Women’s 4x400m

In Cali two years ago, USA was a dominant winner of this title, coming home 3.5 seconds clear of silver medallists Jamaica and it will come as a big surprise if any nation lowers their colours in Lima. Among the athletes in their relay pool are 400m runners Michaela Mouton and Zaya Akins along with 400m hurdlers Braelyn Baker and Jasmine Robertson.

Jamaica should again produce a strong showing with Abigail Campbell and Kelly Ann Carr among their ranks, while British pair Charlotte Henrich and Kara Dacosta will hope to help their nation to another podium finish. Nigeria also looks capable of getting among the medals, led by individual 400m contender Ella Onojuvwevwo, who has a best of 50.57.

 

Men’s 4x400m

The US team proved a class apart in the last edition of these championships in Cali two years ago and they look the team to beat here once again. They have a couple of formidable 400m runners in their ranks in Jayden Davis and Sidi Njie with 400m hurdlers Vance Nilsson and Jonathan Frazier also likely to feature.

South Africa should have a strong hand with Udeme Okon expected to lead their team along with Bryan Katoo, while 400m hurdler Njabulo Mbatha should also be available.

Botswana won this title in 2021 and they should have a strong showing again here with Enerst Kumevu, Thabang Charles Monngathipa and Keorapetse Oreokame in their ranks. China could also feature given the presence of Ailixier Wumaier and Fu Haoran, who will both have eyes on making an individual final over 400m.

 

Mixed 4x400m

The US set the current world U20 record for the mixed 4x400m when winning this title two years ago in 3:17.69 and given their strength across male and female categories, they’re likely to be the team to beat here.

It’s difficult to know who exactly will be competing, however, given the heats of the mixed relay take place on the opening morning (27 August) of the championships and the final is that night, with the first round of all one-lap events getting under way the following morning.

Among the potential US team members are 400m runners Michaela Mouton and Zaya Akins along with 400m hurdlers Braelyn Baker and Jasmine Robertson, while on the men’s side they are replete with several strong one-lap athletes such as Jayden Davis, Sidi Njie, Vance Nilsson and Jonathan Frazier.

India earned silver medals two years ago and bronze when this event was introduced at these championships in 2021 and they should again feature strongly here along with Jamaica, a nation that has significant strength in depth across the 400m.

South Africa also has several strong athletes in this category, as do Poland and Great Britain and Northern Ireland, though much will depend on who among them makes themselves available.

Cathal Dennehy for World Athletics