The past month has been a whirlwind of excitement and experience on the world stage for Bisons sprinter Tyrell Davis and coach Gee-ef Nkwonta. Since hitting the 60m world indoor standard of 6.59 seconds at U SPORTS Nationals on March 3, Davis and Nkwonta have been to Poland, and Louisiana for the World Athletics Indoor Championships, and World Relay Camp, respectively. Now, the duo are set for their next adventure.

Today, they departed for Gaborone, Botswana, where Davis is one of 29 Canadians who will represent the maple leaf as part of the World Athletics Outdoor Relays, taking place from May 2-3. It's yet another opportunity for Davis to compete with the world's best, after a sensational debut in Poland on March 20, where he crossed the line in 6.66 seconds, 33rd overall in the world (missed the semi-finals by just 0.04 seconds). 

"I think both of us are pretty surprised to be in this situation. I was selected for World Relay Camp back in October, with Tyrell being added in March. But for both of us to be on the team to actually attend World Relays, that was not on either of our bingo cards," said a candid Nkwonta. 

"It speaks volumes to the work he's doing and he would say it speaks to what I'm doing here too. Relay camp was great for both of us. We both took back some invaluable lessons on and off the track that we hope to share with the Bisons family. On the coaching side, I'm most looking forward to the opportunity to just watch and learn from some of the best in the world. It's always reassuring when you see the best are doing the same things you are, and now it's just about dialing in the little pieces to put the puzzle together."

Canada will compete in five events overall, the men's, women's and mixed 4x100 relays, and the women's and mixed 4x400 relays. The competition is a qualifier for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, with a top 12 result earning a spot. The event also acts as a qualifier in the mixed 4x100 and 4x400 races for the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest. 

Last year on the men's side, Olympic medalists Andre De Grasse, Brendon Rodney, Aaron Brown and Jerome Blake added a bronze to their extensive list of international podium finishes, crossing the line in 38.11 seconds in the 4x100m world event in China. 

"For Tyrell, it's another opportunity to line up with the best," added Nkwonta.

"Having shaken off the nerves over the past month at World Indoors, he's excited to earn another crack at it."

SEE ALSO: 

• 2026 World Relays Team Ready to Pass the Baton in Gaborone
• Davis overcomes adversity, earns national gold
• Davis named to Team Canada's World Athletics Indoor Championship roster
• Denbow and Davis named 2025-26 Bisons Athletes of the Year