Out, then back in. Korea’s relay team wins appeal to reach Asian Games final

South Korea’s men’s 4x100-meter relay team is back in the Asian Games final slated for late Monday after officials overturned the disqualification from Sunday’s heats.

The team of Kim Si-on, Joel Jin Nwamadi, Daniel Biwesa and Lee Jae-seong finished fourth in their heat in 39.33 seconds the previous day. Their time was the seventh-fastest among the 12 teams, sending them through to the final.

But officials disqualified South Korea, ruling that first runner Kim and second runner Namadi had exchanged the baton outside the permitted zone.

South Korea immediately appealed, submitting video footage it said showed the baton exchange was within the permitted zone. Officials overturned the disqualification and restored the team’s place in the final, sprint coach Ha Kyung-soo told Yonhap News Agency on Monday.

“We appealed against the decision because we could not accept it. We were certain we shouldn’t have been disqualified,” Ha said. The coach added that the team had not expected the decision to be overturned and was relieved when the appeal succeeded.

The team entered the men’s 4x100-meter relay with hopes for a medal, led by Nwamadi and Biwesa, who placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in Friday’s 100-meter final.

The final race is set for 10:23 p.m. Monday.