AFI Elevates 4x100m Relays to Priority Status for 2026 Asian Games
In a major strategic shift, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has officially added both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay events to its list of priority disciplines for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. This decision follows a recent wave of encouraging performances by Indian sprint teams at the national and continental level, signaling a renewed push for medals in short-distance relay events.
The AFI’s move comes on the back of a record-breaking run by the men’s relay team, comprising Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain. In April this year, they clocked an impressive 38.69 seconds, breaking the long-standing national record set during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. For context, India’s timing now places them within striking distance of podium finishes at the continental level. At the 2022 Asian Games, South Korea claimed bronze with a time of 38.74 seconds — slower than the new Indian mark.
Meanwhile, the women’s team also made headlines at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea, where the quartet of Abhinaya Rajarajan, Srabani Nanda, Sneha S S, and Nithya Gandhe won a silver medal with a time of 43.86 seconds. Their performance was not just a medal-winning one but also among the best in the region. Only China, with a gold-winning 43.39 seconds at the Hangzhou Asian Games, registered a faster time.
Given these achievements, AFI President Adille Sumariwalla confirmed that both relay squads are now being treated as medal prospects and will receive targeted support in the lead-up to the Games. The men’s team is set to continue its training at the Reliance Foundation’s High Performance Centre in Mumbai, while the women’s squad will base their preparations at the National Centre of Excellence in Thiruvananthapuram.
Historically, India has not always fielded 4x100m relay teams at the Asian Games. The men’s team last participated in 2010, finishing fourth, while the women competed in 2014 and placed sixth. Since then, a mix of inconsistent performances and injuries kept Indian relay teams out of contention. The recent turnaround, however, reflects the success of investment in sprint talent and relay strategy.
With over a year left before the Games begin in Aichi-Nagoya, the AFI’s decision marks a significant step in reshaping India’s medal approach. The 4x100m relays may finally offer India a realistic shot at sprinting glory on the continental stage.
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