Budapest, Hungary: The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team etched their names in the annals of Asian track and field history by clocking a new Asian record at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. The quartet’s extraordinary performance not only earned them a place in the final but also garnered immense admiration from spectators and fellow athletes alike.
The Indian relay team, consisting of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi, and Rajesh Ramesh, blazed across the finish line in a scintillating time of 2 minutes and 59.05 seconds. This stellar effort secured them the second position in a fiercely competitive nine-team heat 1, just behind the formidable USA team.
Crucially, this achievement shattered both Asian and national records. The previous Asian record of 2:59.51, held by Japan and set at the world championships in Oregon last year, was left in the dust. Additionally, the Indian quartet obliterated the national record of 3:00.25, previously held by Muhammed Anas, Noah Nirmal Tom, Arokia Rajiv, and Amoj Jacob during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The journey to this historic moment was an adrenaline-filled rollercoaster. India commenced the race in the capable hands of Muhammed Anas, who delivered a solid start but placed the team in sixth position after the first leg. However, it was Amoj Jacob’s stunning second leg that catapulted India into the spotlight, propelling them into second place.
The momentum was maintained by Muhammed Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh in the final two legs as they expertly held onto the pace, ensuring India’s triumphant qualification for the final.
The USA, with a blistering time of 2:58.47s, secured the first position, while Great Britain displayed their prowess with a time of 2:59.42s, earning the final qualifying spot in heat 1. Impressively, the Indian team emerged as the second-fastest across both heats.
The final showdown is scheduled to take place on Sunday, marking the culmination of this global athletic spectacle. Alongside this remarkable relay feat, India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra is poised to showcase his javelin-throwing prowess in the men’s javelin throw final on the same day, alongside fellow countrymen Manu DP and Kishore Jena.
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