2019 World Athletics Championships: Muhammad Anas left out of individual 400m despite qualifying

Star athlete Muhammad Anas was left out of the individual 400m event — despite crossing the qualifying mark — at the upcoming World Athletics Championships to be held in Doha later this month. Apparently, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) only entered his name for the men’s 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay.

On Thursday, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) released the provisional entry list of the athletes, country-wise as well as event-wise. Anas’ name was missing from the the individual 400m race.

An AFI source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, was quoted by PTI saying:

We have not entered Anas for individual 400m as we thought he can help the country better in the men’s 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay. We have good chance to do well in the relays, especially in the mixed 4x400m relay.

Anas, on the other hand, revealed that he had no idea about the development. He said, “I did not know about that (not running individual 400m). I will have to check with AFI or coaches.”

Was leaving Anas out really the best decision?

It must be noted that the Kerala-born runner had qualified for the World Championships way back in July at the Kladno international meet in the Czech Republic. He had crossed the qualifying mark of 45.30s by clocking 45.21s. In the process, he had bettered his own earlier national record (45.24s).

Anas had been in red-hot form over the last few months and had talked about competing at the world meet quite enthusiastically. The two events in question, 400m individual and 4x400m relay, are on separate dates.

The 25-year-old should be running in the individual event at the Worlds. To qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, he has to cross 44.90s (which is almost 30s lesser than Anas’ best). If he is not competing against the best in the business, how is he going to do that?