AFI to Field Strong Contingent for Asian Relays Championships 2026 in China; Gurindervir Singh-Animesh Kujur Headline

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has named a strong 29-member contingent for the second edition of the Asian Relays Championships, scheduled to be held in Shangyu, China, on June 20 and 21.

Fresh from a record-breaking season, men's 100m national record holder Gurindervir Singh headlines the Indian squad that will compete across all six relay events at the continental competition.

India will field teams in the men's 4x100m and 4x400m relays, women's 4x100m and 4x400m relays, as well as the mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relay events.

AFI president Bahadur Singh believes the championships will provide valuable international exposure for Indian athletes as the country continues to strengthen its relay programme.

"The competition in China will be a good opportunity for athletes to showcase their potential at the continental level," Bahadur Singh said.

The Asian Relays Championships have gained increasing significance in the athletics calendar as countries use the competition to build relay combinations and gain international racing experience.

India's sprint relay teams will feature some of the country's fastest athletes, including Gurindervir Singh, who recently became India's fastest-ever man after clocking a national record 10.09 seconds at the Federation Cup in Ranchi.

Joining him in the men's 4x100m and mixed 4x100m relay squad are Asian Athletics Championships medallist and national record contender Animesh Kujur, Pranav Pramod Gaurav, Harsh Santosh Raut, Ragul Kumar Ganesh Kumar and Senthil Kumar Tamilarasu.

The men's 4x400m and mixed 4x400m relay team includes Theerthesh P Shetty, Avinash Kumar, Setu Mishra, Nihal William, S Santhosh, Rince Joseph, Suraj Alagar Raja, Mohit Kumar and Barath Sridhar.

The women's 4x400m and mixed 4x400m relay squad features experienced campaigners Poovamma MR and Ansa Babu alongside Rashdeep Kaur, Vijaykumari GK, Saloni Nagar, Neeru Pathak, Subha V and Gowrinandana.

Meanwhile, the women's sprint relay squad comprises Nithya Gandhe, Tamanna, Sneha SS, Sudeshna Shivankar and Abinaya Rajarajan.

In another major boost for Indian athletics, the Athletics Federation of India has confirmed that the third edition of the Asian Relays Championships will be hosted in Chandigarh.

The hosting rights were awarded to India during the Asian Athletics Association Council Meeting held recently in Hong Kong.

Bahadur Singh welcomed the development, stating that the event would provide Indian fans with an opportunity to witness some of Asia's leading athletes compete on home soil.

"The international competition will give sports fans an opportunity to witness top athletes in action on home soil," he said.

With relay events becoming increasingly important in major championships, the upcoming competition in China will serve as a crucial platform for India's sprinters and quarter-milers to test combinations, gain international experience and build momentum ahead of future global competitions.

India Squad for Asian Relays Championships 2026

Men (4x400m and Mixed 4x400m Relay): Theerthesh P Shetty, Avinash Kumar, Setu Mishra, Nihal William, S Santhosh, Rince Joseph, Suraj Alagar Raja, Mohit Kumar, Barath Sridhar

Men (4x100m and Mixed 4x100m Relay): Animesh Kujur, Gurindervir Singh, Harsh Santosh Raut, Pranav Pramod Gaurav, Ragul Kumar Ganesh Kumar, Senthil Kumar Tamilarasu

Women (4x400m and Mixed 4x400m Relay): Rashdeep Kaur, Poovamma MR, Ansa Babu, Vijaykumari GK, Saloni Nagar, Neeru Pathak, Subha V, Gowrinandana

Women (4x100m and Mixed 4x100m Relay): Nithya Gandhe, Tamanna, Sneha SS, Sudeshna Shivankar, Abinaya Rajarajan