The Indian relay teams secured spots at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, this May after impressive displays at the 1st International Invitational Relay / 3rd National Open Relay Competition 2026 in Chandigarh. India B set a new record in the men’s 4×400 relay, clocking 42.30 seconds to claim gold, while India A took silver with a time of 42.34 seconds.
Athletes like Gurindervir Singh and Tamilarasu showcased exceptional teamwork with seamless baton exchanges and explosive speed, outperforming teams from Nepal, the Maldives, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. India A also clinched gold in the senior mixed 4x400m relay, reinforcing the nation’s relay prowess.
India’s success continued with the 4x100m mixed relay team setting a new National Record at the National Open Relay 2026. Lalu Prasad, Unnathi, Harita, and Jayaram delivered flawless baton exchanges and remarkable speed, solidifying their dominance in the event.
In the junior categories, Tamil Nadu excelled in the U20 Women’s 4x100m relay, while Chandigarh triumphed in the U20 4×100 Mixed Relay. The Athletics Federation of India confirmed that the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Botswana will feature six relay events, with teams ranked in the top 24 eligible to compete.
The qualification period for the World Athletics Relays began on January 1, 2025, and will conclude on April 5, 2026. Chief national athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair expressed confidence in the teams’ performance, emphasizing the hope for all national relay teams to meet the target times for qualification.
