Kenya’s mixed 4x400m relay team disqualified despite record run in Tokyo

Kenya’s 2025 World Athletics Championships campaign in Tokyo got off to a heartbreaking start after the Mixed 4x400m relay team was disqualified despite clocking an African record in their qualifying heat on Saturday.

The team of Brian Tinega, Mercy Adongo, Allan Kipyego, and world 800m champion Mary Moraa lit up Heat 2 with a blistering 3:10.73, finishing second behind Belgium and momentarily securing a place in the final.

Their time shattered the continental record of 3:11.16, which had been set only minutes earlier by South Africa in Heat 1.

However, the celebrations were short-lived.

Officials later confirmed that Kenya had been disqualified for a lane infringement, with Kipyego judged to have completely stepped on the line at the bend, a violation under World Athletics Rule TR17.23, which requires immediate disqualification.

As a result, South Africa’s mark now stands as the African record, while hosts Japan advanced to the final as one of the fastest losers.

Moraa’s powerful anchor leg, which saw her storm home in second place, proved futile after the ruling.

Kenya was expected to appeal, but the initial setback has shifted attention to other medal prospects, among them Beatrice Chebet, who is targeting gold in the women’s 10,000m to end Kenya’s decade-long drought in the event.

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