Indian teams qualify for World Athletics Relays

Indian relay teams delivered record-breaking performances at the 1st International Invitational Relay and 3rd National Open Relay Competition 2026 in Chandigarh on Saturday, securing qualification for the World Athletics Relays to be held in Gaborone, Botswana, this May.

The highlight of the meet came in the mixed 4x100m relay, where the India B quartet clocked a sensational 42.30 seconds to claim gold and set a new national record, surpassing the previous mark of 43.44 seconds. India A finished close behind with a time of 42.34 seconds to take silver, with both teams achieving the qualification standard for the World Athletics Relays.

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The two squads, featuring athletes such as Gurindervir Singh and Tamilarasu, impressed with smooth baton exchanges and powerful pace, drawing loud cheers from the spectators. Teams from Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka also competed in the international event.

India also secured the senior mixed 4x400m relay gold, finishing ahead of Sri Lanka with a timing of 3:18.90.

In another standout performance, India’s mixed 4x100m relay team of Lalu Prasad, Unnathi, Harita and Jayaram clocked 42.30 seconds to establish a new national record at the National Open Relay 2026. The quartet combined flawless baton exchanges with explosive speed to register a historic finish.

Young relay teams also made their mark during the competition. Tamil Nadu’s women dominated the U20 women’s 4x100m relay, winning the event with a timing of 48.38 seconds, while Chandigarh claimed the U20 mixed 4x100m relay title in 45.44 seconds.

The World Athletics Relays in Botswana will feature six events — men’s and women’s 4x100m, men’s and women’s 4x400m, along with the mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relays, according to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

As per World Athletics guidelines, the qualification period began on January 1, 2025, and will conclude on April 5, 2026. The top 24 teams in the World Rankings on the Road to Gaborone will earn a place in the competition.

India’s chief national athletics coach, Radhakrishnan Nair, had earlier expressed confidence that the relay teams would perform strongly at the meet. “We are hopeful the other four national relay teams will be successful in achieving the target time to board the flight to Botswana,” Nair had said.