High-voltage action for track and field fans as one of the most exciting relay competitions takes centrestage in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. Around 40 nations will compete across six core relay disciplines, making it a crucial global showdown.

Core Relay Events (6): Men’s 4×100m, Women’s 4×100m, Men’s 4×400m, Women’s 4×400m, Mixed 4×100m and Mixed 4×400m

Adding to the excitement, India will field a 21-member contingent competing across five relay events.

India Squad Overview

Women’s Relays: 4×100m & Mixed 4×100m: Tamanna, Sudeshna Shivankar, Nithya Gandhe, Sneha S.S., Srabani Nanda

Mixed 4×400m: Rashdeep Kaur, Kumari Saloni, Ansa Babu

Men’s Relays:

4×100m & Mixed 4×100m: Pranav Gurav, Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Ragul Kumar, Harsh Raut, Tamilarasu

4×400m & Mixed 4×400m: Rajesh Ramesh, Manu T.S., Amoj Jacob, Dharamveer Choudhary, Theerthesh Shetty, Nihal Joel, Vishal T.K.

Competition Format

The two-day event begins with heats on Day 1, where the top two teams from each heat advance directly to the finals on Day 2.

 

But this is more than just medals—qualification is at stake:

 

Top 6 (Mixed Relays) → qualify for the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Top 12 (All Relays) → qualify for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing

India’s Big Hope: Men’s 4×400m

 

India’s strongest medal prospect comes in the men’s 4×400m relay. For the first time ever, the squad features five sub-46 second runners:

Amoj Jacob – 45.99s

Rajesh Ramesh – 45.26s

Manu TS – 45.96s

Vishal TK – 45.44s

Dharamveer – 45.93s

Amoj Jacob and Rajesh Ramesh were also part of the historic squad at the World Athletics Championships 2023, where India clocked an impressive 2:59.05 in the heats to finish second behind the United States.

With traditional powerhouses like the United States and Great Britain absent in this edition, a small window of opportunity has opened. India, currently ranked 16th with a recent best of 3:01.43, will look to capitalize. In relays, coordination often outweighs raw speed—making execution the key.

Men’s 4×100m: A Learning Curve

India’s men’s 4×100m team will be competing at this level for the first time. While past outings have been marred by disqualifications due to baton exchange errors, this squad brings serious pace.

With names like Animesh Kujur, Gurindervir Singh, and Tamilarasu, expectations remain realistic—experience over medals. However, a national record could be within reach if baton exchanges are executed cleanly.

 

Qualification Path Explained

Day 1 – Heats:

24 teams split into heats

Top 2 from each heat – Final (Top 8 confirmed)

These teams automatically qualify for the World Championships

 

Scenario A – Finish Top 2:

Direct entry to Final

Guaranteed Top 8 finish

World Championships qualification secured

 

Scenario B – Finish 3rd to 6th:

Move to the repechage round

Still in contention for the final and qualification

 

Day 2 – Repechage Round:

16 remaining teams get a second chance

Final spots and remaining qualification places decided