Jamaica’s male and female 4x400m quartets both failed to secure qualification to the World Championships in Tokyo later this year with lackluster performances in their respective heats on day one of the World Relays in Guangzhou, China on Saturday.

The female team of Jodean Williams, Roneisha McGregor, Kelly-Ann Beckford and Ronda Whyte put on a puzzling display in their heat, finishing a distant last in 3:40.54, almost eight seconds slower than fifth-placed Poland.

The men’s quartet of Javier Brown, Zandrion Barnes, Rusheen McDonald and Tarees Rhoden ran a season’s best 3:03.54 to finish fourth in the first heat.

Both quartets will have a second chance to advance to the World Championships in the second round of qualification on Sunday.

Photo credit: World Athletics.