Asian Games 2026: Relay drama ends in silver show!

India’s TS Manu, MR Poovamma, TK Vishal, and Vithya Ramraj celebrate after winning the 4x400m mixed relay silver medal in Nagoya, Japan, on Thursday. Pic/PTI

[popcorn number="3:14.46" desc="The timing with which India's mixed 4x400m relay team won the silver on Thursday class="Default"]

The mixed 4x400m relay final was nothing short of a thriller, culminating in a nail-biting silver medal for India after a tense, delayed official review.

Bahrain entered as the defending champions, fielding a powerhouse squad with anchor Naser Salwa. India countered with a strategic line-up, resting morning qualifiers Kiran Pahal and Jay Kumar for the final, while injecting fresh energy with Manu TS, Poovamma Raju, Vishal TK, and anchor Vithya Ramraj.

Everything detonated on the final baton exchange. UAE had seized the lead, but Bahrain was charging hard with Salwa on the anchor leg. Suddenly, chaos erupted. UAE dropped the baton, furiously claiming interference from a Bahraini handoff.

Amid the confusion, Bahrain surged to gold, setting a blistering Games Record of 3:12.87. But all eyes locked onto the dramatic battle for silver. Vithya unleashed a phenomenal, blistering final lap, slicing through to rocket India home in 3:14.46, just ahead of Vietnam (3:14.54).

Celebrations erupted, instantly cut short as UAE filed a formal protest over a disqualification claim. Results were frozen in limbo. As video replays dissected every stride, the tension in the stadium was palpable, athletes and officials trapped in uncertainty.

Finally, the protest was thrown out. The results stood. India heaved a massive sigh of relief, locking in back-to-back Asian Games silver medals for Vithya.

Strategic gambles, like throwing Vishal into the 3rd lap, paid off spectacularly, cementing a chaotic night of athletics that no one will soon forget. "We were expecting a gold. Of course, we expected a tough fight from Bahrain. But we all ran really good today," Poovamma said later.

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