Belgium Wins Dramatic 4x400m Mixed Relay at World Indoor Championships
Toruń, Poland – Belgium claimed the inaugural world indoor title in the mixed 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Indoor Championships on . The Belgian team of Jonathan Sacoor, Ilana Hanssens, Julien Watrin, and Helena Ponette finished in a winning time of 3:15.60, setting a novel fastest indoor mark, surpassing the previous record of 3:15.63 set by the Netherlands.
The race was marked by early chaos, with a pile-up during the first baton exchanges effectively eliminating two of the pre-race favorites, the Netherlands and the United States, from contention. Despite the disruption, Belgium maintained a strong position from the start, thanks to a commanding opening leg by Sacoor, who boasts both world outdoor and indoor medals in the men’s 4x400m.
Sacoor’s impressive split of 46.16 seconds allowed Hanssens to take the baton with a significant lead. Watrin continued to build on that advantage with a time of 46.11, and Ponette sealed the victory with a final leg of 51.15. The seamless transitions and consistent performance throughout the relay proved decisive for the Belgian team.
Spain secured the silver medal with a time of 3:16.96, while Poland initially finished third in 3:17.44. However, a subsequent disqualification of Jamaica for an illegal baton exchange elevated Poland to the bronze medal position. The disqualification underscored the importance of precise baton exchanges in the tightly contested event.
This victory marks Belgium’s first medal at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships and their seventh indoor world gold overall. Belgium has a growing pedigree in the 4x400m relays, with previous successes including gold for the Belgian Tornados in the 4x400m at the 2022 and 2024 World Athletics Championships. They also claimed silver in the mixed 4x400m at last year’s European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn and a bronze medal in the event at the World Outdoor Championships in Tokyo.
The absence of star runner Alexander Doom, who was rested ahead of the men’s 4x400m on , did not hinder the Belgian team’s performance. The team demonstrated depth and resilience, proving capable of winning even without one of their key athletes.
“We knew it was going to be a very tough race,” said Sacoor after the race. “All teams were very close on times.” His statement reflects the highly competitive nature of the event and the team’s awareness of the challenge they faced.
The mixed 4x400m relay is a relatively new event, having been added to the World Athletics Indoor Championships program recently. The World Athletics Council decided last year that an official world record in the discipline would be recognized as of , provided a team achieves a time of 3:12.44 or faster. While Belgium’s winning time did not meet that threshold, it did establish a new fastest indoor mark and further fueled the excitement surrounding the event.
The success of Belgium in this event highlights the growing strength of their middle-distance and relay programs. With a history of success in both men’s and women’s 4x400m relays, Belgium is establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. The team’s performance in Toruń sets a high bar for competition in future championships and underscores the importance of strategic team selection and flawless execution in relay events.
The disqualification of Jamaica adds a layer of complexity to the result. While Belgium’s victory stands, the incident serves as a reminder of the strict rules governing baton exchanges and the potential for unexpected outcomes in relay races. The incident will likely prompt teams to emphasize precision and technique in their baton work in future competitions.
Looking ahead, the men’s 4x400m relay on will be a key event for Belgium, with Alexander Doom expected to return to the lineup. The team will aim to build on the momentum from their mixed relay victory and contend for another medal. The performance of the Belgian team in Toruń has undoubtedly raised expectations and positioned them as a team to watch in the coming years.