The Australian men’s 4 x 400-metre relay team has won a bronze medal at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, in Berlin.

On 23 August, the team of Tristan Thomas, John Steffensen, Ben Offereins and Sean Wroe capped off Australia’s best ever world championships by winning its fourth medal in the final event.

The United States powered to victory on the back of 400-metre gold and silver medallists, LaShawn Merritt and Jeremy Wariner (2:57.86), with Great Britain just holding onto second (3:00.53) and Australia third (3:00.90).

Steffensen, who was Australia’s opening runner, said the Aussies were always confident of winning a medal in the final.

‘We had a game plan from the start and we knew if we made the final we could win a medal, all the guys believed it and we were really a great team,’ Steffenson said.

‘I have to say this is one of the best experiences in a relay team that I’ve ever had.

‘I found myself taking a senior role with the guys here. I felt like a dad when I watched them during the qualifying heats. I’m sure this medal will be cherished by all the boys for the rest of their careers.’