Asian Games 2018: India’s Mixed 4x400m Relay team of Muhammed Anas, Hima Das, MR Poovamma, and Rajiv Arokia wins Silver medal

India won a silver medal in the first ever mixed 4x400m relay to take their medal tally to 50 at the Asian Games 2018 in Indonesia. The Indian team – Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Poovamma Machettira, Hima Das and Rajiv Arokia – clocked 3:15.71 to finish second behind Bahrain, who won gold by clocking 3:11.89.

Kazakhstan took home the bronze medal with a time of 3:19.52.

Anas had put India in the lead before Poovamma fell behind lap. Hima tried hard and a strong finish by Arokia ensured India took the silver medal.

It was another impressive day for India who won nine medals including one gold, six silver medals and two bronze medals.

The handoff, or baton exchange, is a key area of focus and their sessions together, Anas says, have been focused on it. “Yes, that has been something we have been working on so that minimum time is lost in exchange and the transfer is smooth and error-free. We’ve also trained to get the rhythm right and avoid any glitches in exchange that may come with height differences.”

India is evenly-matched in strength of both it’s male and female runners which will act as an added bonus. India are in with a fairly decent prospect of a medal, and a gold would only make this debut sweeter.