"Winning a medal at the Olympics is everyone's dream" Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi gives a peek into the relay team's preparation for Olympics 2024.
It is a tantalizing era in Indian Athletics. Paris Olympics are only about a month away and there are murmurs about a tangible possibility of multiple medals in track and field. For a country that struggled to win a single Olympic medal in Athletics for over 120 years, the mere fact that such conversations are being had is thrilling and delineates progress.
While Neeraj Chopra is at the fore, carrying the weight of a billion expectations, the men's 4x400m relay team has quietly emerged in the backdrop as another medal hopeful for India. There might not be as much fanfare surrounding them, but over the last Olympic cycle, they have given us enough reasons to be optimistic about their chances in Paris.
In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi of the men's relay team came across as a personality that embodies this trait of being unassuming and understated. When asked how it feels to be going to the Olympics, he was quick to point out that the final squad was yet to be picked.
"Team India has qualified. Who would be the best four to run (in Paris) will be decided at the interstate trials........ Hopefully, I will do well in the interstate trial beginning on 27th (June) in Panchkula. Hopefully, I will get selected.", he says.
Ajmal does not want to get ahead of himself. However, pundits believe that it would be a huge surprise if he is not picked among the starting four. After all, Ajmal - alongside Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amol Jacob and Rajesh Ramesh - was a part of the quartet that broke the Asian record at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest last year. Team India clocked 2:59:05 bettering the previous record by 0.46 seconds.
"We will push for a medal (in Paris). We performed well in Budapest. We reached the finals in the first attempt. That motivated all of us and gave us a lot of confidence. At the Olympics again, we will try our best.", says Ajmal.
Just a couple of months later, the same team struck gold at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. Ajmal was also a part of the mixed relay team that won silver in the 4x400m event at Hangzhou.
The same quartet also started at the World Athletics Relay recently held in the Bahamas, where India eventually secured its qualification for the Paris Olympics. Although, the beginning was not an ideal one. India failed to finish its first qualifying race after second-leg runner Rajesh Ramesh had to pull out midway due to an injury.
"We were also pushing for a medal at Bahamas too, but during the second leg, Rajesh (Ramesh) got injured." describes Ajmal
The disappointment was bitter. But it stung a bit more than usual. That is because India were in the second position, just behind the French team, when Ramesh's injury flared up.
In the second round of the qualifying races, 20-year-old Arokia Rajiv replaced Ramesh. Ajmal, who was originally supposed to run the third leg, switched to second. India eventually finished second in the qualifying heat, clocking their season best of 3:03:23.
"Not too sure what happened there (with Ramesh), but it seemed like a hamstring injury. But we got a second chance. We were determined to do well and qualify. We eventually did." says Ajmal. He also confirms that Rajesh Ramesh has now recovered and is doing fine. "He is practicing well and seems to be in a nice shape. He will run well."
Their finishing position in the heat earned the men's team a ticket to the Olympics 2024. However, to finish at the podium in Paris, they'll have to push a bit harder. In the Bahamas, 23 teams competed across the three heats in the second qualifying round. While Ajmal's team finished second in their respective race, eight teams clocked better timing than India.
Even at the last Olympics, the team had created the then-Asian Record. But, they had finished fourth in their heat, failing to qualify for the finals by less than a second. Hence, they understand how cutthroat the competition in Athletics can be and are therefore trying to leave no stone unturned in practice.
"Everybody is pushing a bit extra as it is the Olympic year. Going to the Olympics and winning a medal there is everyone’s dream. The coaches are supporting us, pushing us and motivating us at every step.", states Ajmal. "The workout is going along nicely and we are all working hard. The practice is going along nicely. Everyone is doing well. Every one seems to be in nice shape. So hopefully, we’ll do well."
"It is about all of us doing well individually..." Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi suggests a simple plan for success at the Paris Olympics.
Ajmal believes that the recipe for success in relay is simple. If every individual does their job well, the team will succeed.
"It is about all of us doing well individually. If everyone focuses on their individual race and improves their own timing, the overall relay timing will automatically improve." he suggests.
When the 26-year-old first burst onto the scene, he used to compete in the 100m and the 200m events as well. However, over the last couple of years, Ajmal seems to have picked his lane and is now usually seen participating in the 400m race alongside the relay event. Though, he tells us that his journey started with the sport of football.
"I used to play football during my school days. My coach told me that there is future in athletics too and that I should give it a try. So, I started running 100 m and 200 m. After joining the navy, I shifted to 400 m. And then, I gradually progressed from there.", explains Ajmal.
Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi is a man of few words. It is hard to get him to give long answers. However, what stands out is his unassuming nature and ability to stay in the present. Throughout our conversation, he repeats the words, "Hopefully, we'll do well at the Olympics." a few times. Perhaps, that delineates where his focus is at. We hope and wish that Ajmal and the entire team indeed do well in Paris.