As the countdown begins for the World Athletics Relays 2025, set for May 10–11 in Guangzhou, China, the Indian contingent finds itself in a unique position — one that combines fresh potential, big-stage ambition, and a field that’s more open than ever.
With traditional powerhouses skipping this edition, and several new nations stepping in, India’s men’s and mixed 4x400m squads will look to seize the moment.
India Sends New-Look Teams to Guangzhou
After setting an Asian Record (2:59.05) in 2023 and finishing as one of the world’s top 4x400m nations, India has opted to blood a young, developmental squad for the World Relays 2025.
Eight men — including Jay Kumar, Tushar Manna, Mohit Kumar, Manu TS, and Dharamveer Choudhary — will take on the dual responsibility of the men’s and mixed 4x400m relays.
Joining them for the mixed event are Rupal, Sneha K, Subha Venkatesan, and Jisna Mathew, providing a solid blend of youth and experience.
While India has not fielded a women’s-only team this year, the inclusion of strong female 400m runners in the mixed relay underlines the country’s strategic focus on qualifying multiple relay teams for the World Championships 2025 in Tokyo.
Why This World Relays Is Different
India enters Guangzhou not only with fresh legs, but also in a field missing many familiar names. From Bahamas and Cuba to Czech Republic, Japan, and Trinidad & Tobago, several prominent relay nations have not entered this edition across men’s, women’s, and mixed formats.
This absence of powerhouse teams significantly alters the competitive landscape. For India — historically on the cusp of making global relay finals — it means fewer barriers and a more level playing field.
But this isn’t just about who’s missing. It’s also about who’s arriving.
New Teams Join the Relay Party — and India Must Be Ready
The World Relays 2025 will see 10 nations make their debut or return after a hiatus. Their entry brings diversity, unpredictability, and fresh tactical challenges — all of which India must account for in Guangzhou.
In the men’s 4x400m, six new teams are in the mix:
- Denmark
- Ireland
- Paraguay
- Portugal
- Chinese Taipei
- Zimbabwe
These nations may not have global sprinting reputations, but they have built momentum in regional meets and youth programs. Portugal and Ireland, in particular, have shown steady growth in 400m performances, while Zimbabwe has a proud history in quarter-mile events.
For India, this means facing unfamiliar opposition — a very different challenge from lining up against the US, Jamaica, or Botswana. India’s relay squads will need to adapt their strategy during heats and semifinals, especially in timing baton exchanges and gauging race tempo against these relatively unknown rivals.
In the Mixed Relay: Emerging Competition for India
In the mixed 4x400m relay, Peru, Sri Lanka, and Uganda are new entrants.
India, with a stronger relay tradition and international exposure in this format, will start as one of the favourites among non-American teams. But surprise threats from teams like Uganda, who are diversifying from long-distance dominance, and Sri Lanka, with a history of producing 400m talent, could make things tricky.
This makes India’s experience in global competitions — including the Budapest World Championships 2023 — even more crucial.
The technical aspects of running the mixed relay — deciding order, pairing genders efficiently, and navigating tight handovers — can be the difference between qualification and elimination.
Opportunity for India Amid Global Shifts
India’s relay squads are not only competing for spots at the World Championships in Tokyo, but also for long-term continuity ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Guangzhou offers a lower-pressure but high-reward environment — ideal for testing depth, grooming young runners, and gaining experience in unpredictable race settings.
With names like Arokia Rajiv, Rajesh Ramesh, and Muhammed Anas absent this time, the baton has been passed — quite literally — to the next generation. And with the field missing several Olympic and World finalists, India’s road to qualification is clearer than ever.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has named eight male athletes in the core squad to contest both the men’s 4x400m relay and the mixed 4x400m relay:
- Dharamveer Chaudhary
- Rince Joseph
- Tushar Kanti Manna
- Jay Kumar
- Mohit Kumar
- T.S. Manu
- T. Santhosh
- T.K. Vishal
Accompanying them are four women sprinters who will complete the mixed relay line-up:
- Rupal
- Sneha K
- Subha Venkatesan
- Jisna Mathew
As new nations like Denmark, Peru, Uganda, and South Africa step into the relay spotlight, India has a chance not just to qualify — but to lead. The World Athletics Relays 2025 may be a transitional edition for many teams, but for India, it could well be the launchpad for a golden relay era.
