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Journalism of Courage
There were a lot of expectations on the Indian men’s 4x400m relay team at the World Athletics Relays in Bahamas, given what they had achieved the last time they were on the world stage. A stunning sub-3 minute run at the Budapest World Championships before a fifth-place finish in the final grabbed headlines. So, naturally, when the quartet stepped up for the Olympic Qualifying Round 1, there was pressure to deliver in Bahamas on Saturday.
But Rajesh Ramesh – who ran a memorable anchor leg in Budapest – pulled up sore in the second leg. A race that started with expectations, ended with heartbreak… and more importantly, no timing registered. But on Sunday, the team – with veteran Arokia Rajv stepping up in place of Ramesh – bounced back, once again finishing behind the USA but ahead of Mexico and Kenya to ensure they booked their tickets to the Paris Olympics. Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Arokia, and Amoj Jacob ran a season-best of 3:03.23 to confirm their automatic qualification.
Earlier in the day, the women’s 4x400m team of Rupal Chaudhary, MR Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi, and Subha Venkatesan also made the most of the second-chance saloon to qualify for Paris 2024. The quartet registered a timing of 3:29.35 to finish behind Jamaica but ahead of Brazil, Germany, and Colombia. In the second round of qualifying, the mixed 4x400m relay team did not start, presumably to ensure the men’s and women’s squads were fresh for their last chance.
Ramesh ran the mixed 4x400m on Saturday early on in the session and then returned to run in the men’s event too when he pulled up due to cramps in leg muscles at the first bend (as confirmed later by the federation). Without their main anchorman, India needed a good start again from Anas, who kept them in the hunt with a solid opening leg. The second leg was by Ajmal, who kept pace too but Kenya and Mexico wouldn’t go away easily. Arokia had to step in and keep India in the hunt and avoid any mishaps during a crowded baton exchange. But once Amoj got the handover in the final leg, despite some catching up to do, he seemed in control of his strides as he broke through in the final bend and kept the Mexicans at bay.
In the women’s 4×400, 19-year-old Rupal replaced Vithya Ramraj and gave India a decent start in a Heat where there were only 5 nations competing for the two spots. But Germany’s strong start meant India were under early pressure. Fortunately for India, there was a massive mix-up in the German ranks. That coupled with a sensational second leg from Jyothika put India in control, then Poovamma and Subha ran solid legs to comfortably finish second in the end and pick up the quota.
