Indian athletes broke the Asian Record in the men’s 4 × 400 metres relay heats to qualify for the Final of this event at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.
World Athletics Championships 2023: Men’s 4 × 400 Metres Relay Heats – The Finalists
On the penultimate day of the World Athletics Championships 2023 (August 26), USA (2:58.47s), India (2:59.05s) and Great Britain & Northern Ireland (2:59.42s) finished the top three positions in Heat 1 of the men’s 4 × 400 metres relay.
On the other hand, Jamaica (2:59.82s), France (3:00.05s) and Italy (3:00.14s) were the top three teams in the Heat 2 event.
Botswana (2:59.42s) from Heat 1 and Netherlands (3:00.23) from Heat 2 have also qualified for the Final of the event as the next two fastest teams after the first three finishers of every Heat.
World Athletics Championships 2023: Men’s 4 × 400 Metres Relay Heats – Indians stunned with the Asian Record
In Heat 1, India had a slow start as Muhammed Anas Yahiya finished in the sixth position, but Amoj Jacob had an incredible performance that set up second place for India. Later, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh maintained that position in the stronger ways, as India finished the race before the third and fourth positions Great Britain & Northern Ireland and Botswana, respectively.
In the last relay battle, Ramesh was even leading the race for a few seconds before the USA athlete Justin Robinson regained their lead.
India ultimately stunned the world with the heat performance. The country not only advanced to the final of the event but also set a new Asian Record by breaking Japan’s previous record of 2:59.51 seconds.
The Final of the men’s 4 × 400 metres relay at the World Athletics Championships 2023 has been scheduled for the final day of the Championships (August 27).
World Athletics Championships 2023: Men’s 4 × 400 Metres Relay Heats
Heat | Country | Athletes | Time |
1 | United States | Trevor Bassitt, Matthew Boling, Christopher Bailey and Justin Robinson | 2:58.47 (Q) |
1 | India | Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh | 2:59.05 (Q) (AR) |
1 | Great Britain & Northern Ireland | Lewis Davey, Charles Dobson, Rio Mitcham and Alex Haydock-Wilson
| 2:59.42 (Q) (SB) |
1 | Botswana | Zibane Ngozi, Baboloki Thebe, Laone Ditshetelo, Leungo Scotch | 2:59.42 (q) (SB) |
2 | Jamaica | Rusheen McDonald, Jevaughn Powell, Zandrion Barnes and D’Andre Anderson | 2:59.82 (Q) (SB) |
2 | France | Ludvy Vaillant, Loïc Prévot, David Sombé and Téo Andant | 3:00.05 (Q) (SB) |
2 | Italy | Davide Re, Edoardo Scotti, Lorenzo Benati and Alessandro Sibilio | 3:00.14 (Q) (SB) |
2 | Netherlands | Liemarvin Bonevacia, Terrence Agard, Ramsey Angela and Isaya Klein Ikkink | 3:00.23 (q) (SB) |
(NOTE: Q = First three of each heat; q = next 2 fastest among both heats; AR = Area Record [Continent Record]; SB = Season Best)
