Boys' medley relay final report - Donestk 2013

WRITTEN FOR THE IAAF WEBSITE

Jamaica toppled favourites USA for victory in the Medley Relay, storming to a 1:49.23 World youth best* in the process.

Improving the USA’s 2011 winning squad’s 1:49.47 time, the Jamaican quartet were led off by Waseem Williams - who finished seventh in the 100m final on Thursday (11) - on the 100m leg before Michael O’Hara took over on the 200m stage of the race.

O’Hara, the 200m gold medallist from earlier in the evening and 100m silver medallist, established a slight lead from the USA outfit, as Okeen Williams took over with 300m to run.

It was then down to Friday’s (12) 400m gold medallist, Martin Manley to take charge with an unassailable lead over his one-lap run for home, finishing almost a second clear of the runners-up.

Surprisingly, Jamaica have only ever won bronze in this event at the Ostrava edition in 2007, whilst the USA team’s fine tradition was upset following their six victories in the eight editions of this championship. 

The USA’s 400m silver medallist, Ryan Clark could not match Manley’s closing speed, as the American joined forces with Jaalen Jones, Noah Lyles and Taylor McClaughlin to claim the silver medal in 1:50.14.

In bronze, Japan clocked a 1:50.52 personal best as Daiki Oda, Shunto Nagata, Kakeru Yamaki and Kaisei Yui took their nation’s fifth medal in the history of this event.

*Subject to the usual ratification procedures.