World Athletics Championships 2023: Indian men’s 4x400m relay team qualifies for final with new Asian record

The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team clocked a new Asian record and progressed to the final at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday.

The Indian team of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh clocked 2.59.05s to finish behind the USA in a nine-team heat 1. 

The first three finishers from each of the two heats and two other teams with the fastest times made the cut for the final.

The Indian quartet’s time broke the Asian record of 2:59.51, set by Japan at the world championships in Oregon last year. It also shattered the national record of 3:00.25, set by Muhammed Anas, Noah Nirmal Tom, Arokia Rajiv and Amoj Jacob at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

At Budapest 23, India was sixth after the first leg run by Muhammed Anas but Amoj Jacob’s stunning dash in the second leg put India in second place. Muhammed Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh did well to hold onto the pace in the final two legs to see India through to the final.

The USA with a time of 2:58.47s finished first while Great Britain clocked 2:59.42s to take the final qualifying spot in heat 1.

The Indian team was also the second-fastest team across both heats. The final is scheduled on Sunday - the last day of the global athletics meet.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will also be in action in the men’s javelin throw final on Sunday alongside compatriots Manu DP and Kishore Jena.