At the Tokyo World Athletics Championships on September 20, 2025, Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team faced a devastating exit in the semi-finals. A botched final exchange between Ryiem Forde and Kishane Thompson halted their race, despite strong performances from Ackeem Blake and 100m gold medallist Oblique Seville. This marks another setback for the team, which struggled at the World Relays in China earlier this year, requiring a qualification run at the London Diamond League.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s women’s 4x100m team is poised for a thrilling final against the United States on Sunday. The US, led by Sha’Carri Richardson, set a world-leading 41.60 in the heats, outpacing Germany (41.86) and Great Britain (41.88). Jamaica dominated their heat with a season-best 41.80, followed by Spain (42.53) and France (42.71). Canada and Poland also qualified for the final.
The women’s race promises a fierce US-Jamaica duel, echoing their close 2023 Budapest clash, where the US won by 0.19 seconds. Jamaica’s anchor Jonielle Smith expressed confidence, emphasizing the team’s preparation and experience. The race holds added significance as it is expected to be Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s final career event, with Jamaica aiming to secure a golden farewell for their sprinting legend.
The top three teams from each heat, plus the two fastest overall times, secured spots in Sunday’s final, setting the stage for a dramatic penultimate race at Tokyo’s National Stadium.