The lights were bright, the track in Gaborone was fast, and the expectations were sky-high. But as the dust settles on the 2026 World Relays, the story of India’s campaign isn’t one of triumph or narrow defeats. It is a story of a self-inflicted disaster—a dramatic collapse of coordination that left our athletes stranded and our fans heartbroken.
On paper, India arrived with the raw power to shake the world. On the track, they fell apart in a sequence of errors so basic they felt like a fever dream.
The Warning Signs
The nightmare began on Day 1. While the men’s 4x100m (39.07s) and the women’s 4x100m (43.97s) posted respectable times, the first crack in the armor appeared in the mixed 4x100m. A baton drop by Animesh Kujur on the third leg led to a DNF, a haunting omen of what was to come.
Day 2 offered a fleeting moment of brilliance—a National Record for the mixed relay team. But that single bright spot was quickly swallowed by a sea of technical failures.
The Anatomy of a Collapse
What followed wasn’t just losing; it was an organizational meltdown.
- The Women’s 4x100m: A catastrophic exchange between Tamanna and Nithya Gandhe saw the baton hit the dirt in the very first zone. They finished dead last in 53.90s—a time more suited for a school meet than a World Championship qualifier.
- The Men’s 4x100m: The most painful exit of all. A disqualification (DQ) after passing the baton outside the takeover zone between Ragul Kumar and Gurindervir Singh.
As 2010 CWG Gold medalist Abdul Najeeb Qureshi bluntly put it: “Gurindervir started far too early… and in Animesh’s case, it’s a basic rule: you cannot change hands during a 4x100m relay.”
The “Speed” Illusion
The tragedy here is that India was fast enough. We have the athletes; we just don’t have the “team.” While veteran Srabani Nanda tried to find the silver lining—praising Nithya Gandhe’s grit to finish the race—the reality remains: Relays are won in the exchange zone, and India was a ghost in that space.
Manjit Kaur, another 2010 legend, emphasized that relay success isn’t instinct; it’s grueling, repetitive drilling under pressure. That pressure clearly exposed a lack of “race-day” chemistry. Former national record holder Amiya Mallick hit the nail on the head: “The team needs to compete together in more races… we still see these mistakes during major events.”
The Verdict
The Botswana campaign can be summarized in a single, bitter sentence: The speed was world-class, but the coordination was amateur.
Baton drops. Zone violations. Disqualifications. These aren’t issues of fitness or heart; they are failures of execution and preparation. Until India moves away from “last-minute camps” and adopts a year-round, dedicated relay program—perhaps led by the very legends who once brought us Gold—we will continue to be the fastest team that never crosses the finish line.
In Botswana, India didn’t lose to the world. They lost to themselves.
The victory was built on a foundation of veteran experience and relentless pace. Bryce Deadmon, a cornerstone of the American relay program, delivered a blistering opening leg to hand the U.S. an early advantage. Despite a fierce challenge from Jamaica, Kenya, and Great Britain in the early stages, the Americans never surrendered their grip on the race. Paris Peoples extended the lead on the second leg, showing remarkable resilience as she fended off Jamaica’s Shana Kaye Anderson.
The third leg saw Jenoah McKiver maintain his composure against high-caliber opposition, including Jamaica’s 2023 world 400m champion Antonio Watson. By the time the baton reached anchor leg runner Bailey Lear, the gap was widening. Lear delivered a dominant final 400 meters, crossing the line well clear of the field to secure the title.
Jamaica secured the silver medal in a massive national record of 3:08.24, an effort that moved them up to fourth on the all-time list for the event. Great Britain & NI took the bronze in 3:09.84, thanks to a storming anchor leg by Yemi Mary John, who narrowly edged out a spirited Kenyan team for the final spot on the podium.
Beyond the immediate glory of the medals, the stakes in Gaborone were focused on future global stages. By finishing in the top six, the USA, Jamaica, Great Britain, Kenya, Italy, and Spain all earned their places at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest later this year. Furthermore, the top eight finalists—including Australia and Poland—officially secured their qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
The stopwatch doesn’t lie, but sometimes it struggles to keep up. At the 2026 World Athletics Relays, the Men’s 4x400m final didn’t just crown a champion; it rewrote the physics of the “long sprint.” In a race defined by blistering transitions and continental pride, Botswana surged to a historic victory, leading a podium where every single team shattered a significant record.
Botswana’s Masterclass in Depth
Winning in a staggering 2:54.47, Botswana secured the gold and a new Championship Record (CR). While the world has long watched their individual stars, this was a display of collective ferocity. Lee Bhekempilo Eppie set the tone with a robust 44.26 opener, but the race shifted into another gear when the baton reached Letsile Tebogo. Known primarily as a short-sprint phenom, Tebogo clocked a terrifying 43.50, proving his range is as limitless as his speed.
Bayapo Ndori maintained the pressure with a 43.62, leaving the anchor duties to Busang Collen Kebinatshipi. Under the immense pressure of a closing field, Kebinatshipi delivered the fastest split of the quartet—a mind-bending 43.09—to seal the top spot on the podium.
The South African Surge
Not far behind, South Africa claimed silver with a National Record (NR) of 2:55.07. The highlight of their night—and arguably the entire meet—came from Lythe Pillay. Running the second leg, Pillay produced a supernatural 42.66 split. To put that in perspective, it is one of the fastest relay legs ever recorded in the history of the sport. His effort catapulted South Africa into contention, supported by Zakithi Nene’s gritty 43.65 anchor.
Australia’s Continental Statement
Rounding out the podium was Australia, who proved that the “Aussie resurgence” in track and field is no fluke. Clocking 2:55.20, they set a new Oceanian Area Record (AR). Reece Holder’s second leg (43.12) was the catalyst, keeping them within striking distance of the African giants.
A New Era of 400m Running
The statistics from this final tell a story of a shifting landscape. The days of 45-second legs winning major medals are gone. To stand on this podium, teams needed an average split well under 44 seconds.
For Botswana, this win is a declaration of intent. For the sport, it is a reminder that when the baton is moving at this speed, boundaries are merely suggestions. The world 4x400m order has been officially disrupted.
The air in Gaborone wasn’t just warm this weekend; it was electric. Under the roar of a home crowd that refused to stay seated, Botswana’s men’s 4x400m relay team didn’t just win gold at the World Athletics Relays—they rewrote the stratosphere of track.
Clocking a blistering 2:54.47, the quartet secured the third-fastest time in human history, shattering their own national record and sending a definitive message to the rest of the world: the throne of the quarter-mile relay is no longer a localized affair.
A Masterclass in Velocity
The performance was a symphony of elite sprinting. From the crack of the starter’s pistol, the intent was clear. While the United States has historically dominated this event, Botswana’s rise has been a steady, calculated climb. The splits told the story of four men operating at the absolute limit of aerobic and anaerobic capacity.
The anchor leg was particularly poetic. Fuelled by the rhythmic chanting of thousands of local fans, the final runner crossed the line not just as a champion, but as a pioneer. Only two times in history—both belonging to American squads—stand faster than the mark set on that Gaborone track.
The Home Ground Advantage
Winning on the world stage is a feat; doing it at home while breaking records is the stuff of legend. For Botswana, this victory transcends the medal podium. It validates the country’s significant investment in athletics and highlights a golden generation of 400m specialists who have transitioned from promising talents to global icons.
The All-Time Leaderboard
To put 2:54.47 into perspective, here is where Botswana now sits in the pantheon of the 4x400m:
| Rank | Country | Time | Venue/Year |
| 1 | USA | 2:54.20 | Uniondale, 1998 |
| 2 | USA | 2:54.29 | Stuttgart, 1993 |
| 3 | Botswana | 2:54.47 | Gaborone, 2026 |
Looking Toward the Horizon
With this performance, Botswana enters the upcoming Olympic cycle not as underdogs, but as the team to beat. They have proven they can handle the pressure of the clock and the weight of expectation. For the rest of the world, the gap has closed. The 2:54 barrier, once thought to be an exclusive American playground, is now under siege by the pride of Africa.
Ghana arrived just a day before competition after a grueling 14-hour flight and 16-hour layover, yet still battled jet lag to qualify for the World Athletics Championships 2027 in Beijing.
Ghana, a coastal nation in West Africa along the Gulf of Guinea with a population of about 33 million people, made history on Day 2 of the World Relays 2026. The men’s 4×100m team finished second in Heat 2, clocking a season’s best of 38.09 seconds, just behind China, who recorded 37.85 seconds. Both teams secured qualification for Beijing 2027.
What makes Ghana’s achievement even more remarkable is the challenge they faced off the track. After the race, Ghana’s fastest man, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, publicly criticized the Ministry of Sports and Recreation over travel issues that nearly derailed their campaign.
In a post, he wrote: “The Ministry of Sports in Ghana needs to do better. Don’t set us up for failure. If it were the ‘Black Stars,’ flight tickets would be ready months prior to their game. A 14-hour flight and 16-hour layover is not acceptable for professional athletes. We are running with jet lag, no proper recovery.”
Team lineup: Edwin Kwabla Gadayi, Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu.
What happened in Gaborone didn’t stay in Gaborone! It has shaped the global track and field landscape for the next two years.
The world’s top relay squads competed for automatic entry into the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26.
Led by Jamaica’s sensational 39.62s World Record in the Mixed 4x100m, the first wave of qualifiers has been confirmed:
Beijing 27 Qualification: The top 12 finishers in each of the six relay disciplines (Men’s and Women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and the Mixed 4x100m and 4x400m) secured automatic berths for the 2027 World Championships. These teams progressed through a rigorous two-round qualification format, ensuring that only the most consistent and elite squads earned their spots early.
Budapest 26 Tickets: In a more exclusive race for the 2026 season, the top six finishers in the Mixed Relay finals earned automatic qualification for the first-ever World Athletics Ultimate Championship. This new, fast-paced ‘best of the best’ event in Budapest will feature only the highest-ranked athletes and teams in the world.
The following lists detail the nations that have successfully secured their places on the world stage.
Highlights:
Australia is one of the few nations to qualify a team in every single event for Beijing 27.
Nations like Jamaica, the United States, and Spain proved their versatility by qualifying for the Ultimate Championship in Budapest across both mixed-gender formats.
Host nation Botswana and neighbouring South Africa leveraged the home-continent advantage to secure spots in the Men’s 4x400m, a discipline where they continue to be world-class contenders.
Teams qualified for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 from World Relays 2026
1) Women’s 4x100m: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Italy, Jamaica, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Spain
2) Men’s 4x100m: Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, China, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain & NI, Jamaica, Netherlands, South Africa, United States
3) Women’s 4x400m: Australia, Canada, Czechia, France, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain
4) Men’s 4x400m: Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Zimbabwe
5) Mixed 4x100m: Australia, Canada, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Italy, Jamaica, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United States
6) Mixed 4x400m: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain & NI, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, Spain, United States
Teams qualified for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26
1) Mixed 4x100m: Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Nigeria, Spain, United States
2) Mixed 4x400m: Great Britain & NI, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Spain, United States
India’s mixed 4x100m relay team created history by breaking the national record at the World Athletics Relays 2026 on Sunday.
The team of Ragul Kumar, Nithya Gandhe, Animesh Kujur, and Sneha SS ran 41.35s, beating the old record of 42.30s. The previous mark was set earlier this year in Chandigarh by Lalu Prasad, Unnathi Aiyappa, Harita Bhadra, and Dondapati Jayaram.
However, despite setting a new national record, India could not qualify for the final or secure a place for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
The team finished sixth in their heat and 10th overall, missing out on qualification, as only the top two teams from each heat advanced.
In the mixed 4x400m relay, the Indian team of Theerthesh P. Shetty, Kumari Saloni, Nihal William, and Rashdeep Kaur finished fifth in their heat with a time of 3:19.40, placing 12th overall.
It turned out to be a tough day for India in other events as well.
In the men’s 4x400m relay, the team could not finish the race after Amoj Jacob (second leg) suffered an injury during his leg.
The women’s 4x100m team, consisting of Nithya Gandhe, Tamanna, Sudeshna Shivankar, and Sneh, finished last overall in the heats with a time of 53.90s.
Meanwhile, the men’s 4x100m team of Harsh Raut, Animesh Kujur, Ragul Kumar, and Gurindervir Singh was disqualified due to a failed baton exchange.
India’s relay teams had a tough start on Day 1 of the World Athletics Relays 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana, as none of the five teams could reach the finals on Saturday.
However, all teams will get another chance on Sunday. They will compete again for a few remaining spots to qualify for the 2027 World Athletics Championships.
The men’s 4x400m team Dharmveer Choudhary, Rajesh Ramesh, Vishal TK, and Manu TS gave a strong performance. They finished fourth in their heat with a time of 3:00.32 (Season Best).
Rajesh Ramesh, who ran the second leg, even took the lead for a short time. Vishal TK, running the third leg, stayed close with the top teams. But in the end
Manu TS couldn’t maintain the pace, India finished behind Belgium, Qatar, and Spain, placing 12th overall and missing out on the final.
In this event, only the top teams from each heat and the next fastest teams move to the final and directly qualify for the 2027 World Championships.
The other teams, including India, will race again on Day 2. This time, only the top two teams from each heat will qualify.
Earlier, the mixed 4x100m relay team S. Tamilarasu, Nithya Gandhe, Animesh Kujur, and SS Sneha could not finish their race. The baton slipped from Kujur’s hand during the exchange.
The mixed 4x400m team Theerthesh Shetty, Ansa Babu, Amoj Jacob, and Rashdeep Kaur finished sixth in their heat with a time of 3:16.00.
In the women’s 4x100m relay, Tamanna, Nithya Gandhe, Sudeshna Shivankar, and SS Sneha finished fifth with a time of 43.97 seconds.
The men’s 4x100m team Harsh Raut, Ragul Kumar, Animesh Kujur, and Gurindervir Singh, finished last in their heat, clocking 39.07 seconds.
Despite Russia’s continued exclusion from many global sports platforms due to geopolitical sanctions, the AFI is opening doors for Russian athletes to compete in Indian national events. In exchange, Indian athletes will gain access to training facilities in Russia—a move that prioritizes performance gains over the prevailing diplomatic trend of isolation.
While the official line focuses on “exchanging experience,” the decision to bypass international norms remains under-explained. Ostensibly, R
With top AFI and Russian officials finalizing the pact in private talks, observers are left to wonder whether this is a strategic play for technical dominance or a calculated geopolitical statement in the world of sports.
“Three years ago, I would never have believed that this life was possible.”
These are the words of Welsh athlete Sam Griffiths, the man behind one of the most staggering transformations in modern distance running. Standing on the finish line of the 2026 London Marathon this past Sunday, Griffiths didn’t just look like a different runner; he looked like a different human being.
The Weight of the Past
In 2023, Griffiths weighed 125 kg. At his heaviest, even short distances felt like an insurmountable challenge. His journey didn’t begin with a high-performance coach or a specialized camp; it started with a humble 5-kilometer walk-run to his parents’ house. Since then, he has shed 50 kg and evolved from a struggling beginner into an elite competitor.
A Masterclass in Progression
While Griffiths possessed a background in athletics—having clocked a 30:07 10km in his youth—his return to form has been nothing short of meteoric. Over the last twelve months, he has sliced more than 27 minutes off his marathon personal best through a series of world-class performances:
| Race | Date | Time |
| London Marathon | April 2025 | 2:50:37 |
| Berlin Marathon | Sept 2025 | 2:37:59 |
| Valencia Marathon | Dec 2025 | 2:29:33 |
| London Marathon | April 2026 | 2:23:02 |
The London Redemption
Returning to London this year was a mission of redemption. After “hitting the wall” during his 2025 debut, Griffiths dismantled the course this Sunday. Finishing in 43rd place overall, he maintained a blistering average pace of 3:23/km with a sustained average heart rate of 168 bpm.
For Griffiths, the clock is secondary to the message. “It’s not just about time,” he reflects. “It’s about demonstrating what you can achieve when you decide not to give up.” His story serves as a powerful reminder that while the numbers on a stopwatch are impressive, the mental shift required to change one’s life is the true victory.
