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USA and Canada Shine with Five Golds on Penultimate Day of Budapest 2023 Championships
On the penultimate day of the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships, held on August 26, the USA bagged three gold medals, while Canada secured two.
The USA triumphed in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays. Chase Ealey clinched their third gold in the women’s shot put. Canada’s victories were credited to Marco Arop and Pierce Lepage.
Arop, making his decisive move in the final 150m, dominated the final stretch. The 24-year-old’s surge left Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who had hopes of retaining the title for Kenya, trailing behind. Arop finished with a time of 1:44.24, becoming Canada’s inaugural gold medalist in this event at the World Championships. Wanyonyi, the world U20 champion of 2021, finished second with a time of 1:44.53. He later acknowledged the guidance he received from world record-holder David Rudisha. Ben Pattison of Great Britain secured third place with 1:44.83.
In the men’s decathlon, Lepage spearheaded a Canadian 1-2 finish, amassing a world-leading total of 8,909 points for the year. Damian Warner followed closely, earning silver with 8,804 points. Grenadian Lindon Victor set a national record to clinch the bronze.
Reflecting on his journey, Arop mentioned in a post-event interview, “It has been a long journey. I’ve competed in numerous decathlons alongside Damien (Warner, CAN). We’ve always supported each other. Sharing this podium with him is special.”
The USA’s gold rush began when Ealey threw the shot put 20.43 meters, marking her season’s best. Canada’s Sarah Mitton followed with a silver-winning throw of 20.08m, also her best for the season.
Ealey expressed her satisfaction, stating, “It’s even more satisfying than last year because this year I’ve struggled to get my technique sorted and get everything right. So for it to come together at the right time is perfect.”
The USA women’s 4x100m relay team set a new championship record with 41.03, the fourth fastest in the event’s history. The team, comprising Tamari Davis, Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas, and Sha’Carri Richardson, overcame baton exchange challenges to outpace Jamaica (41.21) and Great Britain (41.97). Richardson, after receiving the baton from Thomas, held off her rival, Shericka Jackson, securing the USA’s consecutive victory in this event.
In the men’s relay, Christian Coleman started, followed by Fred Kerley and Brandon Carnes, with the anchor being two-time World Champion, Noah Lyles, who finished in 37.38. This relay team is notable for featuring three 100m world champions: Coleman, Kerley, and Lyles.
This championship also marked the first time since the 2007 Osaka World Championships that both US teams clinched gold in the 4x100m finals. Italy earned the silver in 37.62, while Jamaica secured the bronze with 37.76.
BY ANTHONY FOSTER FOR THE NACAC ATHLETICS
