TOKYO, Japan — On the penultimate day of the World Athletics Championships, Jamaica’s fortunes swung between heartbreak and history inside the Japan National Stadium — from relay teams marching confidently into finals, to individual heartbreak in the field, and a groundbreaking national record from Navasky Anderson in the men’s 800m.

Anderson etched his name in Jamaican athletics history as the first Jamaican man to contest an 800m final at the world championships. The 24-year-old battled shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best for 700m before fading to seventh but still left Tokyo with a moment of triumph — lowering the national record to 1:42.76 and, thereby, dipping under the 1:43 barrier for the first time.

The race was won by Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 1:41.86 — the fastest time ever at a world championships — with Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati (1:41.90) taking silver and Canada’s Marco Arop (1:41.95) the bronze.

“I think it was a superb performance. I am grateful for my performance tonight. [The time of] 1:42.76, I knew I had it in me, I knew I could pull it off, I knew I could run with these guys,” said Anderson. “I didn’t want to run myself short … I wanted to give myself the opportunity to fight for a medal so I had to give myself that chance tonight.”

Also impressive were Jamaica’s relay teams, led by the women’s 4x100m quartet of Jodean Williams, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton and Jonielle Smith, who clocked 41.80 seconds for the second-fastest qualifying time. Shericka Jackson, the 200m bronze medallist, and sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are expected to be drafted in for Sunday’s final at 9:06 pm (7:06 am Jamaica time).

The women’s 4x400m squad of Dejanae Oakley, Stacey-Ann Williams, Roneisha McGregor and Nikisha Pryce were also dominant, winning their heat in a world-leading 3:22.77, before the United States responded with 3:22.53. Jamaica will clash with the Americans, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland in today’s final, scheduled for 8:35 pm (6:35 am Jamaica time).

“We are obviously a capable team. We wanted to come out here, work together, and show the world what we can do,” said Stacey-Ann Williams. “That’s the aim — we are all looking for silverware to go home with so I am very confident that we can medal.”

Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake (left) and Oblique Seville leave the track after the men’s 4x100m relay heat during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Roneisha McGregor added: “It’s my first race in a while so I was a little bit rusty but I went out there and I did what I had to do. We gel as a team, we count on each other, and we are happy with the performance today.”

Since 1997 Jamaica has missed the podium in the women’s 4x400m just three times across 14 championships.

The men’s 4x400m also advanced, sneaking into the medal round after clocking 2:59.13 for fourth in their heat — enough to progress as the second-fastest non-automatic qualifier.

“I think we just came out here and did all it took to make it to the final because that’s, ofcourse, the main objective,” said Jevaughn Powell. “We made it through. We have to give thanks for today and take the positives even though we didn’t get in as an automatic qualifier.”

Bovel McPherson added: “I’m just happy we made the final and we will come out here tomorrow and get the job done.”

Jamaica will, however, miss the 4x100m final after disaster struck during the heats when Ryiem Forde and achorman Kishane Thompson failed to complete the baton exchange. As the baton hit the Mondo surface, hearts sank as the medal favourites bid an untimely goodbye from the competition.

There was more disappointments in the field. Ralsford Mullings, Jamaica’s leading discus man this season, struggled to find his rhythm and managed only 57.82m, falling well short of the final. Chad Wright (62.87m) and Fedrick Dacres (60.54m) also missed out, with Dacres placing 13th in his qualifying group.

In the women’s shot put Lloydrica Cameron’s best effort of 17.77m was not enough to advance to the medal round.

Lloydricia Cameron of Jamaica competes in the women’s shot put during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce (left) receives the baton from Roneisha McGregor in the women’s 4x400m relay heats during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on September 20, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

Ralford Mullings competes in the men’s discus throw during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday.