Great Britain win dramatic women’s 4x100m at World Relays

Success Eduan produces a fine anchor leg as British quartet see off Spain, Jamaica and the USA to claim gold medal in women’s sprint relay

Great Britain laid down quite the marker ahead of this year’s World Championships in Tokyo [September 13-21] by securing gold in the women’s 4x100m at the World Relays.

In an enthralling final in Guangzhou, the quartet of Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Amy Hunt, Bianca Williams and Success Eduan combined to clock 42.21 in Guangzhou, seeing off an impressive Spain, Jamaica and the USA.

Eduan, a double European under-20 champion over 200m, had never represented Great Britain at a senior championships before and had the unenviable task of facing both Twanisha Terry and Shericka Jackson on the anchor leg.

Great Britain were placed on the outside lane and started well, with Amy Hunt battling Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for the lead down the back straight. As the stagger unwound, it became a four-way battle for the title between Great Britain, Spain, Jamaica and the USA.

With Spain’s María Isabel Pérez receiving the baton ahead of the rest, Eduan found herself, alongside Jackson and Terry, with work to do down the home straight.

The Brit then produced a scintillating leg to overcome not just Jackson and Terry but also Pérez, bursting into a wide smile as soon as she knew victory was in the bag.

“I don’t even know what happened – I just went past them and that’s all I did,” Eduan said. “To come away with a gold medal, not any other colour but gold it is absolutely amazing. We have worked hard. I am just grateful for the opportunity and took it with both hands, well one hand with the baton! I was just so confident in these girls and what we are here for. I have a winning mentality and I was always going to go for the gold.”

In equally dramatic fashion, South Africa triumphed in the men’s 4x100m relay as Akani Simbine chased down the USA’s Brandon Hicklin in the last 50 metres of the race.

The foursome of Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine recorded a world-leading time of 37.61, with the USA second in 37.66 and Canada third in 38.11

South Africa triumphed in the men’s 4x400m as Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Zakithi Nene combined to clock a world-leading 2:57.50. Their foursome also claimed a bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m.

That race was won the superb Spanish quartet of Paula Sevilla, Eva Santidrián, Daniela Fra and Blanca Hervas, who ran…