REST OF THE WORLD TOP 8
Botswana
New Zealand
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Men’s marathon margin
Men’s pole vault
Kenya
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
Femke Bol
Botswana:
Such was the standard of sprinting in Tokyo, 2024 Paris Olympic champion Lestile Tebogo finished 4th in the 200m final, with a time of 19.65 seconds.
Teammate Busang Kebinatshipi won the 400m (43.53 seconds), with Bayapo Ndori taking the bronze medal in the same race.
The small African nation was always going to be a huge threat to the USA in the 4x400m relay.
The contest between South Africa, Botswana and the Americans was top shelf.
A public holiday was held in Botswana to recognise the achievement of the 4x400m relay team.
2026 World relay championships: track and field types have already circled 2-3 May when Botswana willhost this event, a first for an African country.
New Zealand
Our good friends from across the Tasman won two gold medals at the championships, placing them equal fifth in the medal tally, alongside Spain, Sweden and Botswana.
High jumper Hamish Kerr has quite the collection of world medals: Olympic, Commonwealth, World Indoor, Oceania and Diamond League. In Tokyo he added World Championship winner to his long list of gold medals.
Geordie Beamish won the 3000m steeplechase, after falling in his heat and being spiked in the face. Beamish won New Zealand’s first track gold medal at the World Championships.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
The best female 400m hurdler on the planet is now within striking distance of one of the oldest world records in the book in the 400m flat.
Many experts agreed this was the best performance of the World Championships.
McLauglin-Levrone won in 47.78 seconds. The world record was set at Bruce Stadium in Canberra, where the Raiders and Brumbies now play their respective codes, in 1985 by the East German Marita Koch. (47.60 seconds)
Men’s marathon
The men’s marathon winning margin was closer than the 100m final!
Three thousandths of a second separated Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu and Germany’s Amanal Petros after 42.195km!
Men’s Pole Vault
Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) broke the world record for the fourth time this year (14th time in total) with a height of 6.30m. Australia’s Kurtis Marschall narrowly missed 6.00m on his way to winning the bronze medal.
As described last week, all the vaulters celebrated at a karaoke bar afterwards!
Kenya
The traditional powerhouse nation finished second on the medal tally with 11 medals in total: seven gold, two silver and two bronze.
Particularly impressive were the women’s distance results, winning every race (five in total) from the 800m to the marathon – including the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m.
Exceptional.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
The American flew home to Georgetown, South Carolina (population 8,000) with three gold medals: 100m, 200m and 4x100m.
Femke Bol
The 400m hurdles gun took home a medal of each colour from the Championships: gold in the 400m hurdles, silver in the 4x400m mixed relay, and bronze in the women’s 4x400m relay.
The Netherlands have a strong tradition in relays.
YouTube of the Top 8 above
Men’s 4 x400m relay final:
Letsile Tebogo and Botswana defy MASSIVE RAINSTORM to make relay history | Top Performance Day 9
Men’s 3000m steeplechase final:
Beamish shocks with surprise win over El Bakkali | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Men’s high jump:
Kerr flies to 2.36m world lead for the gold | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Women’s 400m:
47.78 championship record for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Women’s 400m world record, Bruce Stadium, Canberra, 1985:
W 400m – Marita Koch – 47.60 – Canberra (Aus) – 1985 – World Record
Men’s marathon finish:
Simbu and Petros sprint to photo finish for marathon gold | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Men’s Pole Vault:
6.30m world record for Mondo Duplantis in Tokyo ?? | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden:
Women’s 100M Final Full Race – World Athletics Championships | Wide World of Sports
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden storms to sprint double in Tokyo | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Richardson anchors USA to third 4x100m title in a row | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Femke Bol:
Femke Bol retains her 400m hurdles title with 51.51 | World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
Relay magic in Tokyo! The 4x400m Mixed Relay Final is here.speed, teamwork, and glory on the line.
Women’s 4×400m relay final Tokyo 2025 full video
Barossa Red Wine of the Week
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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Great work Russel that mens marathon was amazing.
A false start and a photo finish.
Brilliant again Russel & thanks for keeping us mere mortals informed & up to date re World Athletics & extraordinary performances.
Plus I wouldn’t say no to a tipple of your featured Small Victories Vino or their Shiraz & raise one to Botswana &
others.
Back in the 60’’s, at least, the ABC televised athletics from Olympic Park, Melbourne. Franz Stampfl was special comments man. If they had any nous they’d do it again, perhaps with your expertise, knowledge & experience you could provide specials comments to compliment Bruce & Dave.
Even Albo might want to take this on board. Why not also have a special televised race for pollies.
It would set a good example & reduce health budgets.
Thank you, Rodney – yes: I overlooked the start of the marathon! Of course, how unusual … toe behind the line and wait for the gun!!
Thank you, John:
Yes – Franz Stampfl: what a legend! He is referenced in Michael Sharp’s excellent biography of 1968 Olympic 800m champion Ralph Doubell, even the title is Stampfl “Do not worry, it’s only pain”
He must have been quite a character – Doubell referred to Saturday lunches in Lygon Street after the most grueling session of the week. Franz didn’t mind a bottle, or two apparently!
Thanks!
There is a recently released e-book on Stampfl – I must get a copy
I would be curious to know where Franz dined in Lygon St. My guess would be the University cafe or Jimmy Watsons.
The book may reveal.
When I think of Franz & his contributions, Percy Cerutty always springs to mind.
Both marvellous coaches, characters & motivators.
John
“Do not worry, it is only pain” p.78:
1968 Olympic 800m champion Ralph Doubell
” Quite often during the season, Stampfl and several members of his squad would have lunch on Lygon Street in Carlton on a Friday. We would be first there at lunch and the last to leave.
Doubell recalls: ‘Then we’d go to Jimmy Watson’s wine bar. Between midday and 4pm we would have an earful of Franz and by the end of it I believed I could beat anyone in the world”