Botswana delivered a sensational performance on Sunday at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, dethroning defending champions USA to claim gold in the men’s 4x400m relay.

The quartet of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi clocked 2:57.76, edging past the Americans, who posted a season-best 2:57.83.

Entering the final, Botswana had never won a medal in this event at the championships. They left with two. South Africa added to the celebrations for the continent, running 2:57.83 to secure bronze.

The triumph made Botswana the first African nation to win the men’s 4x400m relay world title. Kebinatshipi, the least heralded of the quartet, also claimed individual glory, storming to gold in the 400m with a world-leading time of 43.53 seconds. Teammate Bayapo Ndori added a bronze to Botswana’s medal tally.

“This is my first title and it feels crazy,” Kebinatshipi said afterwards. “In the final, I had no fear. I wanted to go all out and see how far I could go.”