The Indian 4×400 relay team sets the Asian record and qualifies for the final

Budapest: August 26 (IANS) India’s men’s 4 x 400m relay team created a sensation at the IAAF World Championships here as it finished second behind the United States in the semi-final heat, setting the Asian record and qualifying for the final.

As the runners reached the final stage of the first semi-final in the men’s 4 x 400m relay on Saturday, there was a buzz in the stadium as India dueled with the USA to reach the finish line.

Although the USA team of Trevor Bassett, Matthew Bowling, Christopher Bailey and Justin Robinson eventually edged out to win their heat with a time of 2:58.47, India held on to second place in the Asian record of 2:59.05.

The Indian quartet consisting of Muhammad Anas Yahya, Amuj Jacob, Muhammad Ajmal Variathudi and Rajis Ramesh ran a great race to set a new Asian record with a time of less than 3 minutes. The Indian team improved on the previous record of 2:29.51 set by Japan at last year’s World Championships in Eugene, USA.

On Saturday, India followed Great Britain and Botswana, each with a time of 2:59.42 seconds. Britain finished third for direct qualification, while Botswana advanced on time.

Jamaica won their second semi-final with a time of 2:59.82 minutes, and they will have singles champion Antonio Watson to make the final.

France finished second after Italy and the Netherlands, all of whom qualified for the final.

But the focus on Saturday was on the Indian team as they finished second overall, faster than powerful Jamaicans in the sprints.