World Athletics Championships 2023: Meet the India men’s 4x400m relay team
India’s men’s 4x400m relay team finished fifth in the final of the 2023 World Athletics Championships. India clocked in at 2:59:92s in the finals at Budapest, Hungary.
Muhammed Anas Yahiya began with a steady stride, laying the foundation for a thrilling race. Meanwhile, Hall, representing the USA, seized the lead from Great Britain, displaying his remarkable prowess.
However, Amoj Jacob faltered with a less than ideal turnover, finding himself second to last at the conclusion of the second lap. Nevertheless, Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi showcased his brilliance as he overtook the Dutch competitor, securing the third to last position. Rajesh Ramesh put up a laudable performance to take India up to fifth position, clocking in at 2:59:92s.
Meet the men’s 4x400m relay team
Muhammed Anas Yahiya, born in 1994 in Nilamel, Kerala, initially took up long jump before switching to 400m running. He qualified for the 2016 Olympics, becoming the third Indian to do so for this event. Yahiya holds the national 400m record of 45.24 seconds set in 2019 and has won a total of four gold medals and three silver medals across various tournaments.
Amoj Jacob, born in Delhi in 1998, specializes in the 400m and 800m track events. He won two medals at the 2016 Asian Junior Championships and was part of the record-breaking team at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Jacob started off the 2021 season by running a personal best of 46 seconds at the Indian Grand Prix II.
Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi, born in Palakkad, Kerala, in 1998, began his athletic journey playing football. He later switched to 100m sprinting before finally specializing in 400m sprinting. At the Indian Championships in Bhubaneshwar in June 2023, he ran the 400m in 45.51 seconds, winning gold.
Rajesh Ramesh, the youngest member of the team, was born in Tamil Nadu in 1999. Despite facing setbacks due to injuries and the Covid-19 pandemic, Ramesh made a comeback by setting a better time than Yahiya in the 400m event at the Federation Cup.
The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team shattered the Asian record by clocking in at 2:59.05 seconds, qualifying for their maiden final round of the World Championships. The earlier Asian record of 2:59.51s was held by Japan.
