Redemption in Gold: Indian 4x100m Relay Teams Shine Bright at Taiwan Athletics Open 2025
India’s sprint relay teams delivered a statement performance at the 2025 Taiwan Athletics Open, clinching double gold in the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay events. Coming off a disappointing outing at the Asian Athletics Championships, where the men’s team was disqualified and the women settled for silver, the victories in Taipei mark a significant turnaround — built on precision, teamwork, and hunger for redemption.
Men’s 4x100m Relay: Redemption Run Ends in Gold
The Indian men’s relay quartet of Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain stormed to gold with a blazing 38.75s, the second-fastest time ever clocked by an Indian 4x100m team. Only their own national record of 38.69s, set earlier this season, stands ahead.
This was more than just a win — it was redemption.
At the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, the same team was disqualified in the final after a botched baton exchange, which shattered medal hopes and left the squad visibly gutted. But in Taipei, they returned with focus and fury, executing nearly perfect baton passes and delivering on their promise.
How it happened
- Gurindervir Singh got off to a searing start, exploding from the blocks and putting India ahead early.
- Animesh Kujur handled the curve well, maintaining top-end speed and executing a clean handover.
- Manikanta Hoblidhar — the speedster from Karnataka — produced an explosive third leg that widened India’s lead.
- Amlan Borgohain, India’s 200m national record holder, anchored the final stretch with composure, crossing the finish line in style.
Their final time of 38.75s places this effort just 0.06s shy of the national record and ahead of India’s third-best time of 38.76s. In the world of sprint relays, such margins matter — and this consistency now marks India as an emerging force in Asian and world sprinting circles.
Women’s 4x100m Relay: From Silver in Bangkok to Gold in Taipei
Not to be outdone, the Indian women’s 4x100m relay team also delivered gold with a new meet record of 44.07s, rewriting the championship history books and continuing their ascent on the continental stage.
Sudheeksha, Sneha, Abinaya, and Nithya — the same squad that claimed silver at the Asian Championships with 43.86s — showed improved chemistry and resilience. The performance was not flawless, but their determination turned a shaky baton exchange into a thrilling comeback.
The Breakdown:
- Sudheeksha gave India a strong start, gaining a slight lead early.
- A brief lapse during the handover to Sneha saw India lose momentum, with a delayed exchange costing vital seconds.
- Abinaya, however, unleashed an outstanding third leg, closing the gap and putting India back into the lead.
- Nithya then brought it home with an aggressive finish, sealing the win and meet record.
This victory wasn’t just about speed; it was a test of character. The quartet overcame a mid-race mishap with calmness and grit, reminding fans that relays are as much about recovery and mental strength as they are about sprinting prowess.
Sixth Gold for India in Taiwan: Relay Power Rising
The victories mark India’s sixth gold medal at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2025, a World Athletics Continental Tour – Bronze level event. While the tour may not feature the depth of Diamond League meets, it remains a key platform for building world rankings, gaining race sharpness, and testing combinations ahead of global competitions.
These results underline a critical shift in Indian athletics — relays are no longer weak links. Instead, they are fast becoming medal prospects, both regionally and on the world stage. The men’s squad, especially, has shown remarkable consistency in the sub-39s territory, something previously elusive for Indian sprinting.
With global qualification cut-offs for events like the World Championships and Olympics based on times and rankings, these performances are well-timed. Both teams will now look to consolidate their world rankings, with more continental tour events lined up in the coming months.
However, national selectors and coaches will also keep a close eye on baton exchanges — especially after past hiccups. While speed wins races, clean handovers win medals, and both the men’s and women’s teams still have room to tighten their transitions under pressure.
The turnaround from disqualification and silver to double gold is not just a statistical improvement — it’s a narrative shift for Indian sprinting. These performances are a signal that Indian relay teams are not here just to participate they’re here to contend.
From Gurindervir’s explosive start to Abinaya’s game-changing leg, from Amlan’s composed anchor to Nithya’s powerful finish these are athletes who’ve learned from mistakes and are now hungry for more.
Indian relays are on the rise — and with each baton pass, they’re sprinting closer to global credibility.
