Rain. Buckets of it. That’s the first thing anyone who was at the National Stadium in Tokyo on September 21 will tell you about the 4x100 World Championship 2025. It wasn't just a drizzle; it was the kind of torrential downpour that makes you wonder if the track is actually a swimming pool in disguise.
But for the athletes? It was the stage for some of the most dramatic baton passes we’ve seen in a decade.
If you followed the 2024 Paris Olympics, you probably expected a certain script. You expected the U.S. to be fast but maybe fumble a handoff, and you expected Jamaica to be right there on their heels. Parts of that script held up. Others? They were completely rewritten under the neon lights of Tokyo.
The Men’s Final: Noah Lyles and the Redemption Arc
Let’s be honest, the U.S. men’s relay team usually enters these championships with a giant target on their backs and a history of "what ifs." This time, they didn't just win; they dominated. Noah Lyles anchored the squad to a gold medal in 37.29 seconds. That isn’t just a fast time—it’s the fifth-fastest in the history of the sport.
The lineup was a powerhouse: Christian Coleman, Kenny Bednarek, Courtney Lindsey, and Lyles.
Coleman did what Coleman does best. He exploded out of the blocks, giving the Americans a cushion before the first exchange. But the real "hold your breath" moment happened during the second leg. As Bednarek was flying down the backstretch, a Dutch runner in the adjacent lane almost took him out with a wild arm swing.
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"I saw the lead we had and it was kind of a relief," Lyles said afterward. He made it look easy, but Canada’s Andre De Grasse was actually closing the gap for a split second before Lyles found that extra gear.
Men’s 4x100m Final Results
- United States: 37.29 (Gold)
- Canada: 37.55 (Silver)
- Netherlands: 37.81 (Bronze - National Record)
- Ghana: 37.93
Jamaica? They weren't even in the final. A disastrous baton drop between Ryiem Forde and Kishane Thompson in the heats sent them packing early. It was a massive shock to the system for a nation that has historically defined this event.
The Women’s Final: A Farewell to the Queen
While the men’s race was about a streak continuing, the women’s 4x100 World Championship 2025 final was an emotional rollercoaster. It marked the end of an era. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the "Pocket Rocket" herself, ran her final competitive race.
She’s 38. She’s been doing this since 2007. And honestly, she almost pulled off the impossible.
The U.S. women took the gold in 41.75, but the gap to Jamaica was just 0.04 seconds. Think about that. That’s less than the blink of an eye. Sha'Carri Richardson anchored for the Americans, holding off a surging Jamaican team that wanted that gold so badly for Shelly-Ann.
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The Jefferson-Wooden Triple
The real story of the meet, though, might be Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. By leading off the gold-medal relay, she became only the second woman in history to sweep the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at a single World Championships. The only other person to do that? Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce back in 2013.
The conditions were brutal. "It was raining really, really hard," Jefferson-Wooden admitted later. You could see it on the broadcast—the athletes were drenched before they even got into the blocks.
Women’s 4x100m Final Standings
- United States: 41.75 (Gold)
- Jamaica: 41.79 (Silver)
- Germany: 41.87 (Bronze)
- Great Britain: 42.07
Germany’s bronze was a bit of a surprise to some, but they’ve been consistently "clean" with their exchanges lately. In a relay, being clean is often better than being fast but messy.
Why the Netherlands and Ghana Matter Now
If you only watch the podium, you’re missing the shift in the global landscape. The Netherlands took bronze in the men’s race with a national record of 37.81. Ghana was right there too, finishing fourth after setting a national record of 37.79 in the heats.
We are seeing a democratization of speed. It’s no longer just a two-way street between the U.S. and Jamaica.
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What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
The 4x100 World Championship 2025 proved that the "U.S. Relay Curse" might finally be broken, or at least in hibernation. The men's team looked disciplined. They weren't just running for themselves; they were running for the stick.
For fans and amateur sprinters looking to learn from the best, here are the takeaways from Tokyo:
Master the "Blind" Exchange
The U.S. men succeeded because their reach-back was consistent. In the pouring rain, your grip is everything. If you're practicing relays, work on "wet ball" drills (or wet baton drills) to simulate these Tokyo conditions.
Depth Wins Championships
The U.S. won the women's gold even without the injured Gabby Thomas. That speaks to the incredible depth of the American sprint program right now.
The Exit Strategy
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce showed the world how to retire with grace. She didn't win gold, but she finished on the podium in the fifth-fastest time her country has seen this season.
If you're looking to keep up with the next cycle of elite sprinting, start watching the Diamond League standings for 2026. The rivalry between Richardson and the "young queens" of Jamaica (like Tia and Tina Clayton) is only just beginning.
Check the official World Athletics "Road to Beijing 2027" rankings to see which teams are already qualifying for the next major showcase. The speed isn't slowing down; it's just getting more crowded at the front.