5. Jamaica’s quarter-milers dismiss Nigeria as a threat in the 4x400m at the World Championships!
The Jamaican women’s 4x400m relay team brimmed with confidence at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, coming with a team whose members finished 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th respectively in the 400m final. This series comprises of four videos that have amassed 21,000 views and counting.
Jamaica came 2nd behind Nigeria in the semis but this was not enough to sow a seed of doubt in their minds ahead of the final. Watch them laugh off the West Africans’ chances, in spite of the fact that Nigeria’s men and women teams have won Olympic GOLD and Silver medals respectively in this event in the past.
The Nigerian quartet of Patience Okon George, Regina George, Tosin Adeloye and Funke Oladoye were impressive in the semis, finishing ahead of Jamaica in a Season’s Best (SB) of 3:23.26, inspiring hopes for a medal in the final.
The Jamaicans kept their word in the final, fielding an ‘A’ team that had Bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, Christine Day, Novlene Williams-Mills and Commonwealth champion, Stephenie-Ann McPherson in action. They stunned the USA quartet of Allson Felix, Francena McCorory, Sanya Richards-Ross and Natasha Hastings.
The Nigerian team was left to rue its lost opportunity, finishing 5th due to exhaustion, considering that the same athletes who executed the semis were the ones who ran in the final. Incidentally, their time in the semis would have gotten them the Bronze medal had same been replicated in the final.
Teame Nigeria will be aiming for revenge at the Olympics later this year. Can they step up to the challenge, or would the rivalry still be between USA and Jamaica? We’re keeping our fingers crossed!
