KENYA DISQUALIFIED FROM MIXED 4X400M RELAY FINAL AFTER LANE INFRINGEMENT DESPITE AFRICAN RECORD RUN

Kenya’s joy at storming into the Mixed 4x400m Relay final was short-lived after the quartet anchored by Mary Moraa was disqualified for a lane infringement on the opening day of the Tokyo World Athletics Championships on Saturday.

The team of Brian Tinega, Mercy Adongo, Allan Kipyego, and Moraa had secured an automatic qualifying spot after finishing second in Heat 2 with an African Record time of 3:10.73—shattering South Africa’s mark of 3:11.16 that had been set moments earlier in Heat 1.

Tinega gave Kenya a strong start from lane 6, smoothly handing over to Adongo. She maintained momentum before passing the baton to Kipyego, who closed the gap and set up Moraa for the anchor leg. The world 800m champion powered home to place Kenya second behind Belgium, winners in a season’s best of 3:10.37.

But celebrations were abruptly halted when officials announced that Kenya had been disqualified under World Athletics Rule TR17.23, which applies to lane violations such as completely stepping outside the lane or committing multiple infringements. Kipyego was deemed to have stepped fully over the line on the bend, resulting in an automatic disqualification.

The ruling handed Japan a place in the final as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers, while also reinstating South Africa’s African Record of 3:11.16. Kenya lodged an appeal, but it was dismissed.