The Indian women's team has achieved remarkable success in the 4x400m relay race. India has won the gold medal, marking the country's sixth gold.
Indian Women Script History, Win Gold in 4x400m Relay
India has won another gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. The Indian women's team made history by winning the gold medal in the 4x400m relay race. This marks the first time since the 2018 Asian Games that the Indian women's team has secured gold in this event. This is India's sixth gold medal at these Games. The Indian women's athletics team delivered a magnificent performance on the track; amidst stiff competition, the Indian quartet clinched the gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay.
The team comprising Kiran Pahal, Poovamma MR, Prachi, and Vithya Ramraj won the gold medal for India with a time of 3 minutes 29.69 seconds. The Bahraini team posed a strong challenge, winning the silver medal with a time of 3 minutes 30.21 seconds, while China secured the bronze medal by completing the race in 3 minutes 31.02 seconds.
Slow Start for the Indian Women's Team
However, India did not get off to a very fast start. The first runner, Kiran Pahal, lost some time early on, and the Indian team was in third place when she handed the baton to Poovamma MR. But the experienced Poovamma stepped up, picked up the pace, and moved India into a better position. Next, Prachi took the baton and kept India close to the lead. The responsibility for the final leg fell to Vithya Ramraj; the Indian runner gave it her all the moment she received the baton.
Vithya Ramraj Shows Agility
Meanwhile, Bahrain's star runner Salwa Eid Naser was surging forward in the final leg, despite having started from the very back. She began overtaking her rivals one by one and narrowed the gap with India. However, Vithya did not let her pace drop and refused to yield until she had secured the gold medal for India.
These Asian Games have truly been special for Vithya. Just a day earlier, she made headlines by breaking P.T. Usha's record in the 400m hurdles. Now, by winning the gold medal in the 4x400m relay, she has secured her third medal of the Games. While the Indian women's team won silver at the previous Asian Games, this time they went a step further to claim the top spot on the podium.
The quartet of Kiran Pahal, Poovamma M.R., Prachi, and Vithya Ramraj added another gold medal to India's tally with a time of 3:29.69. Earlier, Gulveer had made waves by winning his third medal at the Asian Games.
Bronze Medal for Men's Team
Meanwhile, India won the bronze medal in the men's 4x400m relay. Manu T and Vishal T.K., who ran the second and fourth legs for the Indian team, put up a stellar performance but could not overtake Japan and Qatar. Japan won the gold medal, while Qatar secured the silver. The Indian team also finished third and won the bronze medal in the 4x400m mixed relay.
