The world and Olympic champions United States topped the women’s 4x100m relay heats over Jamaica with a new world lead at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday (20 September).
Anchored by Sha’Carri Richardson, the US quartet of Jacious Sears, Twanisha Terry and Kayla White won the second heat in 41.60, ahead of Germany (41.86). Great Britain & NI came in third (41.88) to seal the other automatic spot.
The top three from the two heats, plus the two fastest times, qualified for Sunday’s final on the last day of the championships.
Jamaica – who were edged out by the US for gold in Budapest two years ago – dominated their heat in a season-best of 41.80, with Spain (42.53) and France (42.71) following.
Canada (42.38) and Poland (42.83) filled out the remaining lanes on time.