Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi, and Rajesh Ramesh made history in Budapest, Hungary on August 26, 2023, when their 4x400m relay team clocked 2 minutes and 59.05 seconds. Not only did they break the Asian record but also became the first Indian team to reach a World Championship final.
The hitherto little-known runners all come from humble beginnings and their achievement on an international level, reinforced the fact that quality training and access to sports facilities in villages could raise many more sporting heroes like them.
Muhammed Anas Yahiya
India’s national record holder in the 400m, 28-year-old Muhammed Anas Yahiya grew up in Nilamel village in Kollam district, 45 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. He followed in the footsteps of his father Yahiya — who was a state-level athlete. Anas had a modest upbringing, and sadly lost his father to a heart attack when he was studying in 10th standard. After his father’s death, Anas almost gave up sports. It was his mother’s support and encouragement that motivated him to continue pursuing his athletic career.
It was watching Jamaican legend Usain Bolt setting the Beijing running track on fire in the 2008 Olympics that sparked Anas’ desire to take up the sport. He joined Style Sports Academy, a local sports club, and soon came to be acknowledged as the fastest runner in the village. Anas also represented Sree Krishna College, Calicut University in the National championships. Anas developed an interest in sports when he was just 10 years old. He began his journey in athletics by doing long jump. Later, his coach suggested he try the 400-metre race, where there was a spot going in the team.
Amoj Jacob
Amoj Jacob was born in New Delhi in 1998. He too traces his roots to Kerala. Jacob is a sprinter from India who specialises in 400m and 800m events.
His journey in sports began during his time at St. Xavier’s School in Rohini, Delhi, when his coach suggested that he try becoming a sprinter. His mother is a head nurse in Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Delhi.
Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi
Also from Kerala, Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi started his sports journey as a footballer in Palakkad. He played for the Under-19 state level before his coach Nandakumar suggested that he should focus on running instead. Thus began his journey from being a 100 m sprinter to a 400m sprinter.
Rajesh Ramesh
The youngest in the team, Rajesh Ramesh’s career experienced setbacks due to injuries, work commitments, and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating at this level of competition seemed a distant dream as he did his job as a ticket checker at the Trichy Railway Station. He represented the railways in athletics. But he made that journey from a railway platform to a global athletics stage.
