EUGENE, Ore. (Reuters) – The United States claimed emphatic victories in both the men’s and women’s 4x400 metre relays.
American Chris Nilsen took silver with 5.94 metres on countback from Ernest John Obiena, whose bronze was the first-ever world medal for the Philippines.
Unheralded Nigerian Tobi Amusan had earlier stolen the show in the women’s 100 metres hurdles, rocketing to a new world record of 12.12 seconds in the semifinals.
She then won the gold in what was initially announced as a world record 12.06, although excessive wind speeds meant her time was ruled out.
“The goal was to come out and to win this gold... The world record is a bonus,” said Amusan, who finished 0.17 seconds ahead of Jamaican Britany Anderson while Puerto Rico’s Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn went home with bronze.
American Athing Mu held off British rival Keeley Hodgkinson to add the world 800 metres title to her Olympic crown while Germany’s Malaika Mihambo, also a gold medallist in Tokyo, retained her long jump title. Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway made up for this runner-up finish in the 1,500 metres with a convincing victory in the 5,000 metres, where reigning Olympic champion and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei faltered and finished in ninth place.
French world record holder Kevin Mayer regained the decathlon title after impressive performances in the pole vault and javelin, seizing opportunity after a competition-ending injury to Olympic champion Damian Warner.
In the morning session, Italy’s Massimo Stano claimed a one-second victory over Masatora Kawano of Japan in the men’s 35km race walk, adding a world gold to his Olympic crown.
The United States wrapped up the championships by consolidating their place at the top of the medals table with a championship record 33 medals.