India finishes the first Asian Relay Championships with three medals

The Indian athletic contingent finished the first Asian Relay Championships with three medals -one gold and two silver. The first Asian Relay Championships was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 20 and 21 May 2024. It also offered a chance to Asian athletes to qualify for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics starting 26 July 2024. 16 Asian countries, including powerhouse China and Japan participated in the Bangkok event.

Gold for Mixed relay team and silver for men's and women's relay team 

The India mixed relay team won the gold medal in the 4x400-meter event. With a new national record of 3 minutes 14.1 seconds, the Indian team of Muhammed Ajmal, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Amoj Jacob and Subha Venkatesan won the gold medal.

Silver for men’s 4x400 meters relay team 

The men’s team of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, T Santosh Kumar, Mijo Chacko Kurian, and Arokia Rajiv finished behind the Sri Lankan team to win the silver medal. In heavy rain, the Indian team clocked 3 minutes 05.76 seconds, just behind the Sri Lankan gold-winning time of 3 minutes 04.48 seconds. Vietnam won the bronze medal in the event.

Silver for women’s 4x400 meters relay team 

The Indian women’s 4x400 meters relay team comprising of Vithya Ramraj, MR Poovamma, Rupal and Prachi Choudhary won the silver medal, finishing behind the Vietnamese team. The Indian team clocked 3 minutes 33.55 seconds. The gold was won by the Vietnamese team while the bronze went to the Japanese team.

The Indian men’s and women’s 4x400 meters relay team has already qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024. They secured their Olympic quota by their performance at the World Relays 24 held in Bahmas in May 2024.