Jamaica has once again etched its name into sprinting history, smashing the mixed 4x100m world record at the World Athletics Relays in a landmark performance that signals the island’s continued dominance on the global stage. The Jamaican quartet of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton stormed to a world-record time of 39.99 seconds in the heats — the very first event of the championships on Saturday, May 2 — securing automatic qualification for the finals while setting a new global benchmark in the sport’s newest relay discipline.
The result carries significance beyond the stopwatch. With the mixed 4x100m still a developing format on the international circuit, Jamaica’s emphatic display positions the island as an early pace-setter in shaping its competitive standard. The performance also arrives amid heightened global rivalry, serving as a bold statement ahead of the medal rounds and the wider championship cycle.
WORLD RECORD ALERT ⚠️
Jamaica 🇯🇲 sets a new world record in the Mixed 4x100m at the #WorldRelays
The team of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton ran 39.99 to become the first nation to go sub 40 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😳😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/GWa061FPZ1
— Kadeem (@KadeemBarrett99) May 2, 2026
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s execution proved near flawless. Crisp baton exchanges, calculated athlete placement and seamless chemistry between the male and female legs underpinned the record-breaking run. The blend of youth and elite sprint pedigree within the quartet highlighted the country’s depth, while reinforcing its reputation for relay excellence under pressure.
The emphatic performance adds another chapter to Jamaica’s storied sprint legacy, long associated with icons such as Usain Bolt, while signalling the rise of a new generation ready to carry the mantle. With momentum firmly on their side, Jamaica now heads into the finals as clear favourites, aiming to convert record-breaking speed into gold.
