Nagoya: Indian athlete Vithya Ramraj created history at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Monday, winning the bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles and breaking a national record that had stood for 42 years.

Vithya clocked a personal best of 54.75 seconds in the final, finishing third after clearing all 10 hurdles. Her performance saw her surpass the long-standing Indian national record of 55.42 seconds, set by legendary athlete PT Usha at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The record had remained untouched for more than four decades before Vithya produced a breakthrough performance on the Asian Games stage.

Vithya surpasses a record set by PT Usha

Vithya entered the final knowing that she had an opportunity to challenge one of Indian athletics’ most enduring records.

PT Usha had set the previous national record of 55.42 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The mark subsequently became one of the longest-standing records in Indian athletics.

Vithya had already equalled Usha’s record in 2023, but she had not been able to surpass it until Monday.

In the Asian Games final, she produced a 54.75-second run to finally move ahead of the 55.42-second benchmark.

The performance improved her personal best and made her the first Indian woman to break the 55-second barrier in the event.

Mariam Kareem wins gold

The race produced a closely contested battle for the medals.

Mariam Kareem of the United Arab Emirates won the gold medal with a Games record of 54.31 seconds. Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems secured silver after clocking 54.58 seconds.

Vithya followed in third place with 54.75 seconds to claim bronze.

The Indian athlete’s performance was significant not only because of the medal but also because of the record-breaking time. Her run placed her among the leading performers in a competitive Asian Games final.

Vithya maintained her rhythm through all 10 hurdles and produced the strongest performance of her career when it mattered most.

Anu Raghavan also sets personal best

Vithya was not the only Indian athlete to produce a personal-best performance in the final.

Anu Raghavan, who also competed in the women’s 400m hurdles, clocked 55.88 seconds to finish fifth.

Although she missed out on a podium place, Anu’s performance represented another strong individual effort from the Indian contingent.

With two Indian athletes featuring in the final, the country had a significant presence in the event. Vithya ultimately emerged as the medal winner and record-breaker.

A landmark moment for Indian athletics

Vithya’s performance has added another significant chapter to the history of Indian women’s athletics.

Usha’s 55.42-second mark had stood since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, making it one of the country’s most recognisable long-standing athletics records.

Vithya first matched the mark in 2023. Two years later, she finally surpassed it by 0.67 seconds at the Asian Games.

Her 54.75-second performance therefore represents a major improvement and provides a new benchmark for Indian women’s 400m hurdles.

The bronze medal also adds to India’s athletics medal haul at Aichi-Nagoya.

India reach 40 medals

Vithya’s bronze took India’s overall medal tally to 40 at the Asian Games.

The country had won four gold medals, 17 silver medals and 19 bronze medals at the time of the result, placing India 12th in the overall medal standings.

The medal also added to an encouraging day for Indian athletics, with the country’s track and field athletes continuing to contribute to the overall tally.

For Vithya, however, the achievement carries an additional distinction. She leaves the Aichi-Nagoya Games not only with an Asian Games bronze but also with a new national record that replaces a mark set by one of India’s most celebrated athletes.

Vithya enters Indian record books

Vithya’s 54.75-second run will now stand as the new Indian national record in the women’s 400m hurdles.

The progression from equalling Usha’s 55.42-second mark in 2023 to surpassing it at the Asian Games represents an important milestone in her career.

The record-breaking bronze also gives Vithya a significant podium finish at a major continental competition.

With the national record now lowered to 54.75 seconds, Vithya has set a new benchmark for Indian athletes competing in the event in the years ahead.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)