Title (H1): Indian Relay Hopes Dashed in World Athletics Relays 2025 Opener; Tokyo 25 Dreams Still Alive
Subheadings (H2, H3):
Indian Relay Hopes Dashed in Day 1 of World Athletics Relays 2025
On the opening day of the World Athletics Relays 2025 in Guangzhou, both the Indian men’s and mixed 4x400m teams suffered setbacks, failing to secure direct qualification for the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo.
Mixed Team Finishes 15th; National Record Still Standing
The Indian mixed team of Jay Kumar, Sneha Kolleri, Dharmveer Choudhary, and Rupal clocked a time of 3:16.85 in Heat 3, finishing fifth and missing a chance to qualify. The top two teams from each heat—Great Britain & Northern Ireland (3:13.28) and South Africa (3:13.79)—secured direct qualification and will vie for World Championships lane seeding and medals on Sunday.
India’s mixed team placed 15th overall among 21 teams, with the United States leading the way with a world-leading time of 3:11.37 in Heat 2. India’s national record in the mixed 4x400m event, set at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships 2024 in Panchkula, stands at 3:12.87s.
Men’s Team Records 3:03.92; South Africa Tops Overall Standings
The men’s team of Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan, Manu Thekkinalil Saji, Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi, and Mohit Kumar recorded a time of 3:03.92 in Heat 4, finishing fifth and failing to secure direct qualification. Both France (3:00.30) and Kenya (3:00.88) qualified from the heat. India ended up 15th overall among all heats.
South Africa topped the overall standings with a time of 3:00.00. India’s national record in the men’s 4x400m event, set at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, is 2:59.05.
All Hope Not Lost for Tokyo 25 Berths
While the Indian teams missed their first opportunity to qualify for the World Athletics Championships 2025, they will have another shot on Sunday. All non-finalists will compete in additional qualifying heats, with the top two from each of the three groups securing World Championships berths.
In case India fails to secure Tokyo 25 spots in Guangzhou, they can still qualify based on their position in the top performance lists during the qualification window, which runs from February 25, 2024, to August 24, 2025. Only two teams from the top lists from each event will make the cut.
Olympians Rest on Sunday
Olympians Amoj Jacob and Subha Venkatesan, who are part of the Indian relay squad, did not feature on Saturday. Their presence on Sunday remains to be seen.
FAQ Section:
Q: What are the upcoming qualification chances for the Indian teams?
A: On Sunday, India will participate in additional qualifying heats. The top two teams from each group will secure World Championships berths.
Q: Can India still qualify for Tokyo 25 through top performance lists?
A: Yes, India can qualify based on their performance in the qualification window (February 25, 2024, to August 24, 2025). Two teams from the top lists will make the cut for each event.
Did you know?
India’s previous best finish in the men’s 4x400m event at the World Athletics Championships was fifth place, achieved in 2017 and 2019.
Pro Tip Box:
To increase your likelihood of qualification, focus on improving your team’s consistency and communication during practice runs.
Call-to-Action:
Have your say! Which Indian relay team do you think has the best chance of securing a Tokyo 25 berth? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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