From stunning the world with a historic 4x400m relay run to clocking some of India’s fastest 400m times in recent seasons, Rajesh Ramesh has become a household name in Indian athletics.
A key member of the team that rewrote the Asian record at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Rajesh has steadily risen from being just another name in India’s sprinting pool to one of the most consistent and reliable quarter-milers in the country.
As the 2025 athletics season heats up, Ramesh has once again thrown his hat into the ring with back-to-back sub-46 second performances, reminding everyone of his quality and resilience. Yet, surprisingly, he finds himself out of India’s current 4x400m relay core a decision that has raised more than a few eyebrows.
Rajesh Ramesh’s 2025 Season: Fast, Focused, and Fierce
In his two individual races this season, Rajesh has clocked:
- 45.77s at the Indian Grand Prix 2
- 45.97s at the Indian Open Athletics Meet
Both performances rank among the top three timings by any Indian quarter-miler in 2025, with only Vishal TK’s 45.57s at the Asian Athletics Championships bettering them. Importantly, Rajesh is also the only Indian male 400m runner this season with multiple sub-46s, showcasing consistency a trait crucial for relay success.
In Bengaluru, at the Indian Open Meet on June 28, Rajesh looked in supreme form, fending off a competitive field including Amoj Jacob, Rince Joseph, Manu TS, and T Santhosh. His 45.97s run not only gave him the title but also sent a clear message Rajesh Ramesh is back, and better than ever.
Top 5 Personal Bests, A Profile of Consistency
Rajesh Ramesh’s growth as a 400m specialist has been gradual, marked by improvements in both national and international circuits. Here are his top 5 personal bests:
- 45.54s – Poland Meet, 2024
- 45.77s – Indian GP 2, 2025
- 45.67s – Asian Championships, 2023
- 45.91s – Asian Championships, 2023
- 45.97s – Indian Open Athletics Meet, 2025
These timings highlight his ability to consistently perform around the 45.5 to 46s range, placing him among India’s elite in the event.
The Golden Relay Moment and Asian Record Glory
For most Indian fans, Rajesh’s most iconic moment came in August 2023, when the Indian men’s 4x400m relay team Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi, and Rajesh Ramesh stunned the athletics world.
At the World Championships in Budapest, the Indian quartet clocked 2:59.05s, setting a new Asian record and qualifying for the final a feat previously unimaginable for an Indian men’s relay team. Their 5th-place finish in the final, clocking 2:59.92s, was a testament to how far Indian sprinting had come.
Rajesh’s leg in the relay was particularly praised for its strength and tactical sharpness, proving vital in holding position against the best teams from the US, France, and Britain.
Gold in Hangzhou: The Asian Games High
Later in 2023, Rajesh added another feather to his cap when India clinched gold in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, clocking 3:01.58. Running alongside Anas, Ajmal, and Amoj once again, the Indian team overcame stiff competition from Bahrain to top the podium.
Additionally, Rajesh featured in the Mixed 4x400m Relay, teaming up with Ajmal, Vithya Ramraj, and Subha Venkatesan. The team finished with silver, behind Bahrain, in a closely contested race timed at 3:14.34.
By the end of 2023, Rajesh had firmly cemented his place as one of India’s most dependable relay runners and a growing force in the individual 400m as well.
A Startling Omission in 2025
Given his recent form and past exploits, Rajesh’s exclusion from India’s 4x400m relay core group in 2025 has come as a shock to many. While new names have been getting a look in, Rajesh despite running India’s 2nd and 3rd fastest times of the year remains on the sidelines.
There has been no official word from Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on the selection criteria or whether Rajesh is being rested, but his recent performances suggest that he still has a lot to offer. Given India’s ambitions for the World Championships and LA 2028, leaving out a fit and in-form runner like Rajesh is puzzling.
The Mental Grit of a Champion
Rajesh Ramesh’s journey has never been about flashy headlines or overnight success. He has risen through the ranks from Tamil Nadu’s competitive athletics ecosystem, quietly putting in the work and delivering when it mattered most.
His ability to bounce back be it after the 2022 season where he struggled with rhythm, or following a dip post-Asian Games speaks volumes about his mental toughness. In a discipline as demanding as the 400m, where races are won or lost on the back straight, it’s this mental resilience that often separates the good from the great.
India’s Quarter-Mile Landscape in 2025
The men’s 400m scene in India is heating up again in 2025. Along with Rajesh and Vishal TK, the likes of Muhammed Ajmal, Amoj Jacob, and emerging names like Jay Kumar have added depth to the event. This creates healthy competition for relay spots and pushes the national standard upward.
But among them, Rajesh stands out for his versatility, consistency, and the ability to deliver on big days attributes critical in both individual races and high-stakes relay legs.
With the Asian Indoor Games and World Championships on the horizon, and the ultimate goal of Olympic qualification for LA 2028, India’s 4x400m relay ambitions remain high. It’s imperative that the most in-form athletes are not only recognised but also nurtured in these crucial years.
For Rajesh, the path ahead is clear. Continue to run fast, stay fit, and let his times speak louder than anything else. And if his early 2025 season is anything to go by, the comeback trail has already begun.
Rajesh Ramesh has proven time and again that he’s one of India’s finest in the 400m. From clocking sub-46s in pressure situations to anchoring historic relay runs, he has shown the ability to compete at the highest level. His performances in 2025 45.77s and 45.97s are not just fast times; they are statements of intent.
Whether or not he’s included in the relay squad going forward, Rajesh’s comeback is already one of the most inspiring stories of Indian athletics this year.
He’s not done yet. Not even close.
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