A look back on 2025 – World Athletics Relays

The World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou formed a significant checkpoint in the 2025 season for the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team, with all relay events contested with World Championship qualification in Tokyo as the central focus.

Across the weekend, all five GB & NI relay teams secured qualification, alongside gold in the women’s 4x100m and a bronze medal in the mixed 4x100m, which made its global championship debut.

In the women’s 4x100m, GB & NI delivered one of the defining performances of the championships. The quartet of Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Amy Hunt, Bianca Williams and Success Eduan progressed cleanly through the heats before returning in the final to claim gold in 42.21. Anchoring the team, Eduan completed the race with a decisive final leg on her senior international debut, sealing the title in a tightly contested finish.

The newly introduced mixed 4x100m also proved a positive addition for GB & NI. After reaching the final, the team of Asha Philip, Kissiwaa Mensah, Jeriel Quainoo and Joe Ferguson produced a composed run to take bronze in 40.88, securing a podium finish in the event’s first appearance at a global championships.

In the men’s 4x100m, qualification was secured decisively with a strong heat performance, ensuring passage to Tokyo. The final itself ended in disappointment following a baton exchange issue on the final change, bringing the race to an early conclusion, though the team’s primary objective for the weekend had already been achieved.

Over the one-lap relays, the women’s 4x400m experienced a more complex route to qualification. After narrowly missing automatic progression in the heats, the quartet of Laviai Nielsen, Emily Newnham, Lina Nielsen and Nicole Yeargin returned in the repechage and won their race in 3:24.46, confirming qualification with a controlled and assured performance.

The men’s 4x400m secured qualification at the first attempt, progressing through the heats before placing sixth in the final. The mixed 4x400m, featuring a blend of experience and newer athletes, finished fourth in the final, having already confirmed their place at the World Championships earlier in the competition.

Taken together, the World Relays weekend in Guangzhou saw qualification confirmed across all relay events, alongside podium finishes in both established and newly introduced disciplines. The championships brought together a broad section of the Novuna GB & NI relay squad, with a mix of experienced internationals and athletes gaining further exposure at global level.