AT A GLANCE
- U.S. wins 16 golds in Tokyo, breaking its own previous record of 14.
- American sprinters dominate relays, taking three of four events.
- Melissa Jefferson-Wooden makes history with triple sprint sweep.
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ties for second-most U.S. women’s world titles.
U.S. Sets New Gold Medal Standard In Tokyo
The United States capped off the World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo with a historic performance, winning 16 gold medals — the most ever at a single worlds. The total surpasses the previous American records of 14 set in 2005, 2007 and 2019.
The record-breaking run included three relay wins on the final day: the women’s and men’s 4x100m and the women’s 4x400m. The U.S. finished the meet with 26 total medals, marking the fifth consecutive worlds where it led all nations in both golds and overall count.
Jefferson-Wooden’s Sprint Sweep
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden etched her name into history by sweeping the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay — only the second woman to ever achieve the feat, following Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013. She also became just the second American woman to win three golds at one world championships, joining Allyson Felix (2007).
Sha’Carri Richardson anchored the U.S. to victory in the women’s 4x100m, narrowly holding off Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith by four hundredths of a second.
Lyles and McLaughlin-Levrone Add to Legacy
On the men’s side, Noah Lyles anchored the 4x100m alongside Christian Coleman, Kenny Bednarek, and Courtney Lindsey for another sprint relay victory.
In the women’s 4x400m, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone anchored the team to a dominant win. The triumph marked her fifth career world title, tying her with Jefferson-Wooden and others for second on the all-time U.S. women’s list. Only Allyson Felix, with 14, holds more.
Botswana Denies U.S. Men’s 4x400m
The only relay gold that slipped away came in the men’s 4x400m, where Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi surged past Rai Benjamin in the final strides, winning by seven hundredths of a second. The victory added to Kebinatshipi’s individual 400m crown.
Benjamin, who beat Kebinatshipi for Olympic gold in Paris last year, settled for silver this time.
