Athletics-Botswana make history with thrilling 4x400m relay gold

TOKYO, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Botswana produced a brilliant performance to win the men's world 4x400 metres relay in atrocious conditions on Sunday, edging out the United States and South Africa in a blanket finish to become the first African winners of the event.

As rain hammered down, the U.S - who had scraped into the final after beating Kenya in a run-off on Sunday morning - led the way at the final changeover.

However, Collen Kebinatshipi, the 21-year-old winner of the individual title, ran a fantastic leg to snatch gold in two minutes, 57.76 seconds.

The U.S., winners of nine of the last 10 world titles, changed all four athletes for the final from their morning runoff, and took silver from South Africa by two thousandths of a second after both being timed at 2:57.83.