Zimbabwe Relay Team Storm into World Relays Final on 1 May, Secure 2027 World Championships Qualification

The Zimbabwe 4x400m relay team delivered a historic performance on 1 May 2026, storming into the World Relays Final in Gaborone, Botswana, while also sealing qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships.
The result marked a major breakthrough for Zimbabwean athletics, as the quartet produced a national record-breaking time of 2:59.01 in a dominant and disciplined run against some of the strongest relay nations in the world.
By securing qualification so early, Zimbabwe now has over a year to prepare for the 2027 World Championships, giving the team a strong opportunity to refine their strategy, build depth, and improve competitiveness on the global stage.
The performance also saw Zimbabwe break through the long-standing three-minute barrier, moving from previous times in the 3:03–3:05 range into elite world-class territory. This achievement places the team firmly among the top relay nations internationally.
The quartet executed near-perfect baton exchanges, which proved crucial in their success, alongside strong individual performances that combined speed, coordination, and race intelligence.
Zimbabwe finished sixth overall in a highly competitive field of 24 nations, confirming their place among the world’s best relay teams and earning a spot in the final.
The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president Tendai Tagara hailed the achievement as a “new era” for Zimbabwean athletics, praising the athletes, coaches, and support staff for their collective effort and dedication.
He said the result reflects discipline, unity, and belief, adding that Zimbabwe’s performance has elevated the national flag onto the global athletics stage with pride and excellence.
Coach Phakamile Lisimati was also praised for his tactical planning and athlete selection, which played a key role in unlocking the team’s record-breaking performance.
Zimbabwe’s relay success is expected to boost confidence heading into future international competitions, with attention now turning to further development in both the 4x400m and 4x100m relay disciplines, where the country continues to show growing potential.