Indian Men's 4x400m Relay Team Breaks Asian Record, Qualifies For World C'ships

The Indian men's 4x400m relay team produced a blistering performance on Sunday at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary to shatter Asian record and make the finals for the first time ever in history. The Indian quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh clocked 2 minute 59.05 seconds to qualify for its maiden final round of the World Championships after finishing second behind USA (2:58:47) in heat number one.

World Athletics Championship - Men's 4x400m Relay Heats - National Athletics Centre, Budapest, Hungary - August 26, 2023 India's Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi with teammates after heat 1 (REUTERS)

The previous Asian record of 2:59.51 belonged to Japan and was set in 2021.

As per the rules, the top three finishers in each of the two heats and the next two fastest qualify for the final. India's timing was the second best overall across the two heats and the team will now compete against USA, Great Britain, Bostwana, Jamaica, France, Italy and Netherlands in the final on Sunday.