The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team, fueled by a determination to enhance their performance and secure a spot at the Paris Olympics, strategically planned to shadow the renowned USA team at the World Athletics Relays, as disclosed by sprinter Amoj Jacob.
Comprising Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Muhammed Ajmal, Arokia Rajiv, and Amoj Jacob, the Indian squad succeeded in clinching qualification for the Paris Games by securing the second position in their heat at the World Athletics Relays held in Nassau, Bahamas earlier this month.
Clocking in at 3 minutes and 3.23 seconds collectively, the Indian quartet trailed behind the USA team (2:59.95), a predictable leader in the heat. Jacob elaborated on their strategic approach, stating, “We knew that we had the US in our Heats and they mostly run below 3 minutes. So, our plan was to stay close to them in the race, which will not only improve our time but also help us qualify for Paris Games.”
“Our target was to register a time between 3:00 and 3:10 so that our confidence is high going into the Paris Olympics,” he further emphasized.
During the relay, when anchor-leg runner Amoj Jacob received the baton from Arokia, he exhibited remarkable performance, surpassing his Mexican counterpart to secure a second-place finish.
Reflecting on the team’s resilience in the face of challenges, particularly Rajesh Ramesh’s withdrawal due to cramps mid-race, Amoj Jacob highlighted the smooth transition facilitated by meticulous preparation. “It was easy because we were practicing together. And we had trained the baton exchange with different combinations. The only concern was to ensure that no one else got injured,” he stated.
Furthermore, Amoj Jacob underscored the advantageous impact of acclimatizing to the competition environment in the Bahamas a month prior, attributing it to their successful Olympic qualification bid. “Reaching Bahamas a month before the competition helped the team acclimatize to the conditions well, which was key in securing Olympic qualification,” he concluded.
