Tokyo Olympics: AFI conducts trial for team selection of 400m-relay
The Indian contingent is gearing up for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in every sector, including track-and-field events. Meanwhile, the team selection for the 400m-relay race is underway, as the Athletics Federation of India has begun the trails for it.
FollowThe date for the Tokyo Olympics is drawing near with each passing day, as the preparations for the same are underway in full swing in India. While the Indian contingent is more or less set with its athletes that would fly to Tokyo, some last moment selections are underway.
In the meantime, the Athletics Federation of India has begun the quarter milers trials for the mixed 4x400m and men's 4x400m relay teams, being conducted in Patiala, reports PTI. Although a 15-member side has qualified for the individual event, the AFI is concerned about the camper quarter milers following their unsuccessful outing at the National Inter-State Championships. At the same time, AFI's policy states that only national campers would feature in the relay sides.
Priya Mohan had won the 400m race during the NISC but happened to be a non-camper. In the meantime, Jisna Mathew had qualified for the 4x400m mixed relay during the World Championships in 2019, while VK Vismaya missed out.
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During Sunday's trials, Revathi finished first (53.55 seconds), while Subha Venkatesan (54.26), S Dhanalakshmi (54.27), Mathew (54.31) and Vismaya (55.34) followed her. However, Dhanalakshmi is not a regular 400m runner, while she is a gold medalist in the 100m event during the NISC.
As for the men's trials, Sarthak Bhambri finished first (47.73 seconds), while Alex Anthony (47.83) and Naganatha (48.24) followed him. India can pick a maximum of six members in the 4x400m relay, with five as leading athletes and one as an alternate. In the mixed event, the contingent can have a couple of men and women each, while a man and woman can be picked as alternates.
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