The Netherlands celebrated two further medals and Germany picked up one, as the relays took centre stage on the final day of action at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday (21).
There was a brace of bronze medals for the Dutch in the women’s 4x400m and men’s 4x100m, whilst Germany won bronze in the women’s 4x100m final.
Bol guides Dutch to bronze
Femke Bol’s epic relay legs have become a feature of major championships, and she had the baton in hand again for the final leg of the women’s 4x400m.
But it was one of Bol’s less dramatic relay legs as she found herself marooned in bronze with little chance of catching Jamaica and less still of the distant USA quartet anchored by individual champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
Nonetheless, she routinely brought the Netherlands home for bronze, her ninth medal in the women’s 4x400m in major championships indoors and outdoors since 2022. It also completed a full set of medals from Tokyo 2025, having won gold in the 400m hurdles and silver in the mixed 4x400m.
She was joined on the podium by Dutch teammates Eveline Saalberg, Lieke Klaver and Lisanne de Witte who laid the groundwork for Bol to complete in 3:20.18. USA won gold in 3:16.61 and Jamaica silver in 3:19.25.
Rain fails to dampen sprinters
In the men’s 4x100m, the Netherland quartet of Nsikak Ekpo, Taymir Burnet, Xavi Mo-Ajok and Elvis Afrifa ensured the baton had a safe passage despite torrential rain to grab a brilliant bronze in a national record of 37.81.
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USA took gold in a world lead 37.29 and Canada grabbed silver in 37.55. In the women’s 4x100m, Germany also made light of conditions. The foursome of Sina Mayer, Rebekka Haase, Sophia Junk and Gina Lückenkemper splashed their way to bronze in 41.87. USA won in 41.75 ahead of Jamaica in 41.79.