Wightman sets Scottish record as he battles to fifth

For a while, Zoey Clark thought she had earned her fifth championship medal in three years after GB&NI were promoted from fourth to bronze in the women’s 4x400 relay. The USA eased clear of Poland for gold but Jamaica were disqualified for a lane infringement. A counter-appeal reversed the ruling and denied the 24-year-old Aberdonian a spot on the podium.

“That’s the fastest time our team has run in years,” Clark underlined. “It’s bittersweet because we did up our game. It’s fastest than at the 2016 Olympics. It’s faster than at the last worlds in London.”

With the men failing to finish in their 4x400 final following a botched baton changeover, it left the British squad with a total of five medals from their 10 days of competition with two golds and three silvers, their worst haul since 2005 with fewer finalists than at London 2017 and no males climbing the podium on an individual basis.

Further concern for performance director Neil Black, already under the cosh for his past backing of the nowdisgraced and banned American coach Alberto Salazar. “There’s a lot to feel really, really positive about,” But the reality is the medal tally is not that which we would have wanted and expected. It could be better, it should be better.” The United States claimed 28 medals to easily finish top of the standings with GB&NI sixth.

Elsewhere, Germany’s Malalika Mihambo won the women’s long jump with a best of 7.30m with Abigail Irozuru the leading Briton in seventh.