The 2019 IAAF World Relays were concluded over the weekend with Africa registering a poor performance. Athletes from six African countries were in action when the event began on Saturday 11th April in Yokohama, Japan. Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe all participated in the two-day event.
However, the South African men’s 4x200m gave the continent something to smile about. A strong South African squad, anchored by African 100m champion Akani Simbine, clocked 1:20.12 to win a silver medal. That broke the African record for the second time in less than two hours. The American quartet of Christopher Belcher, Bryce Robinson, Vernon Norwood, and Remontay McClain teamed for a 1:20.12 win while Germany finished third.
Elsewhere, Kenya finished third in 3:19.43 in the mixed 4x400m for its only top-three finish of the weekend. Jared Momanyi, Maureen Thomas, Hellen Syombua and Aron Koech all earned the podium place.
The IAAF World Relays Yokohama 2019 concluded before a crowd of more than 20,000 at Yokohama International Stadium, the largest to gather at an IAAF World Relays.