Trinidad and Tobago stunned perennial winners of the men’s 4x400m relay, USA, to claim the country’s first ever GOLD medal in the event with a World Leading time of 2:58.12, on the final day of the 16th IAAF World Championships in London.
Competing with a young team comprising of Wilbert London III, Gil Roberts, Michael Cherry and Fred Kerley, the US team missed the vast experience of former World and Olympic Champion LaShawn Merritt who was missing in the event.
London III ran a good leg, handing the baton to Roberts who consolidated on the lead for the nine-time champions. Anchor leg and World No. 2 Kerley got the baton in 1st position but had to contend with Trinidad and Tobago’s Lalonde Gordon who closed in, courtesy of Jereem Richards fantastic second leg which put the Trinidadians in 2nd, and Machel Cedenio who maintained the position.
Gordon overtook Kerley with less than 10m to go to create an upset in the event. USA followed in a Season’s Best (SB) of 2:58.61 as hosts Great Britain secured their fourth relays medal, scooping Bronze with an SB of 2:59.00.
Jarrin Solomon, who ran the first leg for Trinidad and Tobago, said: “It was a big motivation to come here and win — give it big. We knew and we made sure that we set up the team correctly. We worked so hard and it means so much to our team. It has a special sweet taste for us this year.”
Cedenio, who ran the third leg, concurred with his teammate: “We knew the US team are always strong and we were prepared for that. I feel just grateful now. I think it was the best experience of all my career. The London crowd is always so supportive. We came 3rd in 2012 in the National Record (NR). Now it is GOLD and I cannot ask for more.”
USA’s Roberts said: “We wanted the GOLD medal. Every time we step out, we go for GOLD. Running in London was amazing, the crowd was so electric.”
Teammate Cherry says the team gave its all: “I got the lead for the fourth leg. Silver is a good medal. You never expect to lose coming into a race. We gave all we had.”
