India’s mixed 4x400m relay team set a national record while winning gold at the inaugural Asian Relay Championships in Bangkok. The team of Jyothika Sri Dandi, Muhammad Ajmal, Amoj Jacob, and Subha Venkatesan clocked in at 3:14.12 to break the previous record of 3:14.34 from the Hangzhou Asian Games. With respective times of 3:17.00 and 3:18.45, Sri Lanka and Vietnam came in second and third, respectively.
Even with the win, India’s time puts them outside the 15th or 16th spot required for Olympic qualification, ranking 21st in the World Athletics “Road to Paris” rankings. The mixed 4×400-metre relay at the Paris Olympics will include just 16 teams. Only two spots remain for the best times until the June 30 deadline, after 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, have already qualified.
The Czech Republic (3:11.98) and Italy (3:13.56) are currently occupying the 15th and 16th positions, respectively. India failed to beat Italy’s time, despite its best efforts. According to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the team may participate in additional international tournaments before the deadline.
On Tuesday, India will also compete in the women’s and men’s 4×400-metre relay competitions.
