Four National Teams Aim for Success at World Athletics Relays in Botswana
Synopsis
Excitement builds for the national men's and mixed relay teams as they enhance their global rankings on the Road to Gaborone. Despite challenges, they aim for success at the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Botswana.
Key Takeaways
The national men’s longer relay and mixed 4x100m relay teams improved their global standings.
The World Athletics Relays will occur on May 2-3 in Botswana.
India’s mixed 4x100m relay team set a new national record.
Animesh Kujur expressed disappointment over missed opportunities.
The women's 4x100m relay team is currently ranked 23rd globally.
Chandigarh, March 28 (NationPress) The national men's longer relay and mixed 4x100m relay squad celebrated their enhanced global rankings in the quest for the Gaborone 26 during an event at Chandigarh's Sector 7 Sports Complex this past Saturday.
The World Athletics Relays are scheduled for May 2-3 in Gaborone, Botswana.
However, the men's 4x100m relay team faced disappointment as they were disqualified in the heats at the inaugural International Invitational Relay Competition and the third National Open Relay Competition held in Chandigarh on Saturday.
Team members Manu TS, Amoj Jacob, D Chaudhary, and Rajesh Ramesh were part of the victorious 4x400m relay squad that clinched gold with a time of 3:01.43 seconds, thus improving their global standings.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) entered two teams into the mixed 4x100m relay, and both performed exceptionally well, as noted by chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair.
The National B mixed 4x100m relay team captured gold with a remarkable time of 42.30 seconds, surpassing the previous national record of 43.44 seconds set by Tamil Nadu in 2025.
India A secured the second position with a time of 42.34 seconds, while the Maldives took third place with a time of 44.53 seconds.
Despite the achievements, India's international sprinter and national record holder, Animesh Kujur, expressed his frustration for missing out on a vital opportunity to travel to Botswana.
“This competition in Chandigarh was our final chance to enhance our world ranking before the April 5 deadline, but we fell short,” said Kujur, who is part of the national 4x100m relay team.
Additionally, the national mixed 4x400m relay and women's 4x100m relay teams are seen as strong contenders for securing spots in the World Athletics Relays on May 2-3 in Gaborone, Botswana.
The national women’s 4x100m relay achieved a time of 43.86 seconds at the 2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships. Their current world ranking stands at 23.
Meanwhile, the national mixed 4x400m relay team holds a world ranking of 22, based on their performance of 3:14.81 at the World Relays in China.
“The World Athletics will finalize the rankings of nations eligible to compete in Botswana after April 5, 2026,” the chief athletics coach concluded.
Point of View
It's essential to highlight the dedication and potential of our athletes. Their commitment to improving their rankings on the road to the World Athletics Relays demonstrates the strength of Indian athletics, though challenges remain evident.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What dates are the World Athletics Relays scheduled for?
The World Athletics Relays will take place on May 2 and 3 in Gaborone, Botswana.
How did the national men's 4x400m relay team perform?
The national men's 4x400m relay team won gold with a time of 3:01.43 seconds, improving their global ranking.
What was the outcome for the mixed 4x100m relay teams?
The National B mixed 4x100m relay team won gold with a time of 42.30 seconds, setting a new national record.
Why was Animesh Kujur disappointed?
Animesh Kujur was upset for missing a crucial opportunity to improve the 4x100m relay team's world ranking before the April 5 deadline.
What is the current world ranking of the women's 4x100m relay team?
The national women's 4x100m relay team is currently ranked 23rd in the world.
