Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Mar 28: Indian relay teams delivered a stellar performance at the 1st International Invitational Relay / 3rd National Open Relay Competition 2026, earning qualification for the upcoming World Athletics Relays 2026 with record-breaking runs on Saturday.
The standout moment came in the men’s 4x100m relay, where the India B team clinched gold with a remarkable timing of 42.30 seconds, shattering the previous record of 43.44 seconds. Close behind, India A secured silver with 42.34 seconds—both teams booking their berths for the global event to be held in Gaborone this May.
Athletes including Gurindervir Singh and S. Tamilarasu played key roles, showcasing exceptional speed and flawless baton exchanges. The Indian squads outperformed competitors from neighboring nations such as Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, drawing loud cheers from the home crowd.
In the mixed 4x400m relay, India A clinched gold with a timing of 3:18.90, finishing ahead of Sri Lanka. The event also saw impressive performances from youth teams, with Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh securing victories in their respective categories.
India’s mixed 4x100m relay team also made headlines by clocking 42.30 seconds, setting a new national record. The quartet of Lalu Prasad, Unnathi, Harita, and Jayaram impressed with smooth coordination and explosive pace to achieve a historic finish.
At the junior level, Tamil Nadu’s women’s team dominated the U20 4x100m relay with a timing of 48.38 seconds, while Chandigarh emerged victorious in the U20 mixed 4x100m relay, clocking 45.44 seconds.
According to the Athletics Federation of India, the competition in Botswana will feature six relay events, including men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m races, along with mixed relays in both categories.
As per World Athletics guidelines, the qualification window began on January 1, 2025, and will close on April 5, 2026. Teams ranked among the top 24 in the “Road to Gaborone” standings will earn a place in the championship.
Chief national athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair had earlier expressed confidence in the teams’ performance, and the athletes delivered on expectations. He also voiced optimism that more Indian relay squads will meet qualification standards in the coming days.