India added another glittering chapter to its athletics legacy at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, clinching a spectacular gold in the 4x400m mixed relay.
The quartet of Santosh Kumar, Rupal Chaudhary, Vishal TK, and Subha Venkatesan combined speed, strategy, and resilience to clock 3:18.12, powering India to the top of the podium.
This was India’s second gold at the championships and a moment of immense pride for the track and field contingent. While the time was outside the World Championships 2025 qualification mark of 3:11.06, the victory served as a major morale booster and a reminder of India’s growing depth in relay events.
The Race Unfolded: Four Legs, One Golden Finish
Mixed relays are as much about chemistry and order as they are about individual speed — and Team India nailed the strategy to perfection.
- 1st Leg – Santosh Kumar:
The seasoned 400m hurdler opened for India and set a brisk early pace. Known for his strength on the flat as well, Santosh held off early pressure from China and Sri Lanka, handing over the baton with a marginal lead. - 2nd Leg – Rupal Chaudhary:
One of India’s rising stars in the 400m, Rupal maintained composure and kept the team in the mix. Her smooth transition and steady run ensured India stayed neck-and-neck with the top contenders heading into the third leg. - 3rd Leg – Vishal TK:
Arguably the most intense part of the race, Vishal was momentarily overtaken by the Chinese runner. But in a display of grit and tenacity, he dug deep in the final 100m to stay within striking distance — a crucial effort that kept India in gold contention. - 4th Leg – Subha Venkatesan:
Then came the moment of magic. Subha, India’s dependable relay anchor, brought her trademark finishing strength to the track. She timed her surge perfectly, overtaking China on the curve and stretching the lead on the home straight to seal the gold medal for India.
Podium Standings
🥇 India – 3:18.12
🥈 China – Time not disclosed
🥉 Sri Lanka – DQ
While India’s timing was well outside the elite global mark, the significance of the gold cannot be overstated. Winning in a tactical and pressure-packed mixed relay is about coordination, execution, and delivering under pressure — all of which the Indian team did with poise.
This gold in the mixed relay signals India’s continued rise in the 400m ecosystem. Over the past few years, India has made consistent progress in the 4x400m disciplines, especially in the men’s and mixed formats. The success at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships, where the men’s team won gold, and a credible show at the World Championships 2023, set the tone for what we saw in Gumi.
Now, with emerging names like Rupal and Vishal combining with experienced athletes like Subha and Santosh, India is creating a pipeline of relay talent — one that can potentially challenge at the global stage if supported with world-class preparation.
What the Victory Means
Though the team missed the World Championships 2025 qualifying mark of 3:11.06 by a significant margin, this gold offers more than just a medal. It is a statement of belief. For many in the Indian camp, this win is a reminder that with the right mix of youth, experience, and training, world-class performances are within reach.
For athletes like Subha Venkatesan and Rupal Chaudhary, who have often been part of India’s relay squads, this win will add to their confidence heading into bigger meets. For Vishal and Santosh, it marks their arrival as dependable relay legs who can withstand pressure on continental platforms.
In a championship filled with emerging stars and close finishes, India’s 4x400m mixed relay gold stands out for its team effort and perfect execution. The race may not have produced record times, but it certainly delivered a golden moment for Indian athletics.
In Gumi, under the Asian spotlight, four Indian athletes came together and ran not just for victory — but for a vision of what Indian relays can be. And in doing so, they brought home gold, and with it, a new wave of hope.
