It is that time of the year when India should look back at some of its sporting achievements throughout 2023, and hope for even a better 2024. Accolades were in plenty from various sports, where the medals came in truckloads, but it is necessary to talk about one performance, that kind of, stands out from the others. Though this effort did not result in a medal, but it had, and still has, a feel-good factor for sure.
India’s 4x400m Relay Team at World Athletics Championships & Asian Games
At the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, in August, the Indian quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal, and Rajesh Ramesh, showed that apart from javelin, fans back home should pin some hopes from them as well. The 4x400m relay event, which is generally dominated by the Caribbean nations and USA; these four men competed valiantly against them.
In the heats, the Indian team finished just behind the world record holders USA and created a new Asian record at 2:59.05s. What’s noteworthy is Great Britain finished third with a timing of 2:59.42s, and Jamaica ended fifth with a timing of 2:59.82s. India reached the final of the event but managed to finish fifth, which is still a good enough reason to talk about these guys.
Just a few days later, Anas and Jacob, along with Nihal William and Mijo Chacko Kurian won the gold at the Asian Games, with a time of 3:03.81s. This only shows the strong bench strength of Team India in the event.
Editors pick
