Indian Men's 4x400m Team Fails to Finish World Relays Heat Race, 2nd Leg Runner Pulls Out Due to Cramps

Second leg runner Rajesh Ramesh pulled out due to cramps as the Indian men's 4x400m team failed to finish its heat race at the World Athletics Relays, on Sunday, during round one of Paris Olympics qualifications. The Indian quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Rajesh Ramesh, Muhammed Ajmal and Amoj Jacob was hoping to book a Paris ticket with a top-two finish in heat number four, but in a utter heartbreak, Ramesh left the race midway while clutching his left leg. Anas had already run the first leg.

Rajesh Ramesh falls down due to cramps.(Twitter)

"The men’s 4x400m relay team had a good start. Muhammad Anas clocked 45.93 seconds in the first leg, but the second runner -- Rajesh Ramesh -- fell down due to cramps in leg muscles at the first bend," Athletics Federation of India (AFI) said in a statement.

Ramesh had run the mixed 4x400m race three hours before the men's event. India will have another chance on Monday during round two of Olympics qualifications where all the other teams which finished outside top-two in their respective heats on Sunday will try their luck for another shot at the Paris Games. The teams are expected to be divided into three heats and top two from each of them will book Paris ticket.