Who is Muhammad Ajmal? All you need to know about India's 4×400m men's relay team athlete competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi is a top-notch track and field athlete who specializes in the 400 meters. He qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 as part of the Indian men's 4×400 meter relay team.
Born on June 1, 1998, Ajmal hails from the Palakkad district of Kerela, India. He was more passionate about football during his school days. However, he started his athletic career as a 100m sprinter before switching to the 400-meter event after he transitioned from football to athletics.
The star performer's athletics career is marked by several remarkable national and international achievements. Ajmal won a gold medal in the 400 meters at the Inter-Services Athletics Championship in 2021 with a time of 46.91 seconds. In the Interstate Nationals, he clinched a gold medal in 400 meters by clocking an impressive 45.51 seconds.
At the Asian Games 2022, Muhammad Ajmal secured a silver medal in the mixed 4×400 meters relay and a gold medal in the men's 4×400 meters relay events. He was also a part of the Indian 4×400 meters relay team that set an Asian record of 2:59.05 at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
At the seventh International Sprint and Relay Cup held at Ataturk University Stadium in Turkey, Ajmal achieved third place in the 400-meter event with a time of 46.04 seconds. His personal best in the 400 meters is 45.36 seconds. He set this impressive time on July 13, 2023, during the Indian Grand Prix IV held in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
When will Muhammad Ajmal be in action at the Paris Olympics 2024?
Although Muhammad Ajmal couldn't qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), he was one of the four athletes in the Indian athletic team that qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 4×400 meter relay.
Ajmal’s speed, endurance, and ability to perform under pressure, especially in international events like the World Championships and Asian Games, is a testament to his mental strength. He is hopeful of making a mark at the Paris Olympics along with his teammates Amoj Jacob, Muhammad Anas Yahiya, and Arokia Rajiv.
The team will hit the track on Friday, August 9, for the men’s 4x400m relay qualification, with the finals scheduled for Saturday, August 10.