| If you thought this was just another relay meet, think again.
At the Sector-7 Sports Complex in Chandigarh, India’s qualification race for the World Relays 2026 in Gaborone (May 2–3) took a dramatic turn — thanks to a disqualification, a Maldives protest, and some last-minute reshuffling in the global rankings.
Here’s a clean breakdown of where things stand.
The biggest twist: Men’s 4x100m collapse
India’s Men’s 4x100m team came in ranked 25th, just one spot outside qualification (top 24).
They needed 38.73s or better — well within reach.
But everything unraveled in the heat:
* Third-leg runner Manikanta Hoblidhar pulled up with a hamstring injury
* The final baton exchange happened outside the takeover zone
* Result: Disqualification under World Athletics T.R. 24.7
Despite finishing the race and initially making the final, the team never lined up again.
Behind the scenes:
* Officials confirmed a protest from the Maldives
* Another official said the jury had already reviewed the footage before the protest came in
A brutal blow at the worst possible time.
Mixed 4x100m:
This was the surprise package.
* India B: 42.30s
* India A: 42.34s
Both times were:
* Faster than the national record
* Inside the qualification standard
But timing is everything.
On the same day:
* Nigeria and Kenya went quicker
* India slipped from 19th → 21st
Still in qualification zone (Top 24)
But not comfortable yet
Men’s 4x400m
The standout performers.
* Came in ranked: 27th (outside qualification)
* Clocked: 3:01.43s
That pushed them up to 16th.
Even after Zimbabwe’s faster run (3:00.69s), India sits at
17th — safely inside the top 24
Mixed 4x400m
* Previous: 22nd (3:14.81)
* New time: 3:18.90
No improvement — but no damage either.
Still 22nd, still inside the qualification zone.
Women’s relays
Women’s 4x400m
* From 29th → 28th
* Time: 3:32.81 (marginal gain)
Women’s 4x100m
* Remains 23rd
* Slower run: 44.18s (vs 43.86s earlier)
* Missing key athletes: Abinaya Rajrajan, SS Sneha
Especially in the 4x100m, India is in the danger zone — one slip could push them out.
Qualification deadline is April 5, 2026 witb the Final list to be announced on April 7th.
Out of six teams:
* 2 improved their rankings
* 2 is still in qualification spots (but under pressure)
* 1 (Men’s 4x100m) suffered a major setback — with controversy attached |
