Odisha and Karnataka Sprint to 4×100m Relay Gold as Amiya Mallick Receives Emotional Guard of Honour at Interstate Championships

The relay events brought the curtain down in spectacular fashion at the 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships 2026 in Bhubaneswar as Odisha and Karnataka emerged victorious in the men's and women's 4×100m relay events respectively.

While Odisha thrilled the home supporters with a gold-medal-winning performance in the men's relay, Karnataka once again showcased its sprinting depth by claiming the women's title. However, beyond the medals and timings, it was an emotional post-race tribute to veteran sprinter Amiya Mallick that became one of the defining moments of the championships.

The heartwarming celebration perfectly captured the values of respect, legacy and teamwork that continue to define Indian athletics.

Competing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Odisha's quartet produced an impressive performance to clinch the men's 4×100m relay gold medal. The team of Amiya Mallick, Dondapati Jayaram, Lalu Prasad Bhoi and Sarun Payasingh clocked 39.92 seconds, edging out a strong Tamil Nadu side to finish on top of the podium.

The victory was the culmination of four smooth baton exchanges and a composed final leg that allowed Odisha to maintain its narrow advantage over the chasing teams. Tamil Nadu settled for the silver medal with 40.02 seconds, missing out on gold by just one-tenth of a second, while Maharashtra completed the podium after finishing third in 40.37 seconds.

For Odisha, the triumph was particularly significant as it came in front of the state's own supporters, who celebrated every stride of their athletes around the Kalinga Stadium track.

While the gold medal itself was memorable, the celebrations that followed created one of the most touching images of the championships. As the relay team celebrated their victory, the younger members of the quartet presented Amiya Mallick with a heartfelt Guard of Honour, bowing in respect to one of India's most accomplished sprinters.

The gesture recognised Mallick's immense contribution to Indian athletics over the years.

A former national record holder in the men's 100 metres, Mallick has been one of India's most consistent sprinters and has represented the country at numerous international competitions. His experience has also played a vital role in mentoring younger athletes within the Odisha setup.

The emotional tribute highlighted the admiration and respect he commands among the new generation of Indian sprinters. It was a reminder that sporting success is measured not only by medals but also by the legacy athletes leave behind.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka reaffirmed its status as one of India's strongest sprinting states by winning the women's 4×100m relay. The quartet of Prakruthi Rao, Dhaneswari T, V. Sudheeksha and Unnathi Bollanda produced a polished performance to stop the clock at 44.75 seconds, comfortably securing the gold medal.

Their race was characterised by excellent baton exchanges and strong acceleration on every leg, allowing them to build a decisive advantage over the chasing teams. Tamil Nadu finished second with 45.07 seconds, while Maharashtra claimed the bronze medal in 46.21 seconds. The result added another gold medal to Karnataka's impressive campaign at the championships, underlining the state's remarkable strength in sprint events.

The performances by both Odisha and Karnataka were no coincidence. Over the past few years, both states have invested significantly in athletics through improved coaching programmes, better facilities and consistent participation in national competitions. Karnataka has produced several leading sprinters in recent seasons, with athletes like Dhaneswari, Prakruthi Rao and Unnathi Bollanda regularly featuring among the country's fastest women.

Odisha, meanwhile, continues to strengthen its athletics programme while simultaneously establishing itself as one of India's premier sporting destinations through investments in world-class infrastructure and high-performance training centres.

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The relay victories reflect not only individual talent but also the importance of developing depth across sprint squads.

Relay races remain one of the most exciting disciplines in athletics because they demand much more than individual speed. Perfect baton exchanges, teamwork, communication and race strategy are often the deciding factors between victory and defeat. Both winning teams demonstrated those qualities throughout their races.

Odisha's smooth exchanges enabled them to hold off Tamil Nadu in a closely contested men's final, while Karnataka's efficiency allowed them to maintain control from start to finish in the women's event. Such performances are encouraging signs as India continues to build relay teams capable of competing consistently at major international competitions.

The relay finals provided a fitting conclusion to another successful edition of the National Inter-State Athletics Championships. There were thrilling finishes, personal bests, national records and several athletes achieving qualification standards for major international events. The relay races added another memorable chapter, combining elite performances with emotional moments that resonated far beyond the stopwatch.

For Odisha, winning gold on home soil made the occasion unforgettable. For Karnataka, another relay title reinforced its dominance in Indian sprinting.

And for Indian athletics as a whole, the image of Odisha's young relay runners honouring Amiya Mallick after their victory served as a powerful reminder that while championships create champions, they also celebrate those whose dedication has inspired an entire generation.

It was a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the sport—where excellence, respect and legacy crossed the finish line together.