20250510 Athletics World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 1.jpg

Women’s 4x400m Quartet Break SA Record on Day 1 of the World Athletics Relays


The SA women’s 4x400m team delivered a standout performance by setting a new national record, joined by the 4x400m mixed team including Shirley Nekhubui and Zenéy Geldenhuys setting a season’s best, with all teams progressing to Sunday’s finals at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, on Saturday, 10 May, 2025.

In the women’s 4x400m heats, Nekhubui, Hannah van Niekerk, Precious Molepo and Geldenhuys won their race in 3:28.01, finishing well clear of Germany, who took second place in 3:28.63.

The SA squad broke the national record of 3:28.30 which was set by Nekhubui, Geldenhuys, Hannah van Niekerk and Molepo at the ASA Grand Prix meeting in Tshwane in March.

The 4x400m Mixed team of Nekhubui and Geldenhuys with Tumisang Shezi and Leendert Koekemoer also qualified for Sunday’s final, finishing in a season’s best 3:13.79 in second place behind Great Britain in the event’s third heat on Saturday. 

By reaching the finals, to be held on the second and final day of competition in Guangzhou on Sunday, all South African teams qualified automatically for the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo in September.

“The first part of their mission has been achieved, which was to qualify for Japan,” said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. “Tomorrow we wake up to seek podium places in what will be explosive finals for all participating teams.”

“We urge the team to remain focussed because its not over until its over. Thanks be to God that we live  to see another day.”

Select SA teams competing on Sunday, 11 May, 2025 (CAT times)

3.03pm FINAL – 4x400m Mixed
3.36pm FINAL – 4x400m Women

•  All SA records are subject to standard ratification processes


Original Copy: Athletics South Africa, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: SA women’s 4x400m team set a new national record on Day 1 of the 2025 World Athletics Relays, from 10 to 11 May, 2025 in Guangzhou, China, and will be joined in the meet’s finals by Team SA’s mixed 4x400m team after qualifying on Saturday, 10 May, 2025. Team SA Training File Photo: Cecilia van Bers

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