'Feels really special': Indian quartet clinches 4x400m relay gold
Vithya Ramraj and Prachi Choudhary celebrate as India clinches its first athletics gold in the women's 4x400m relay at the Asian Games 2026.
In a historic moment for Indian athletics, the women's 4x400m relay team secured India's first athletics gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. The victory in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, has turned the campaign for key athletes Vithya Ramraj and Prachi Choudhary into an unforgettable success.
A Thrilling Finish on the Podium
The Indian quartet, comprising Kiran, Machettira Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary, and Vithya Ramraj, delivered a powerhouse performance to finish at the top of the podium. They clocked a time of 3:29.69 to claim the gold.
The competition was fierce until the very end. The results for the podium finishers were:
- Gold: India (3:29.69)
- Silver: Bahrain (3:30.21)
- Bronze: China (3:31.02)
Double Glory for Vithya and Prachi
For Vithya Ramraj, the relay gold marks her third medal of the Games. She had previously secured a bronze in the women's 400m hurdles. Reflecting on her achievement, Vithya expressed immense gratitude to her support system.
"I'm so happy with this medal. It feels really special to win another medal at the Asian Games, especially with the team, and this gold is my third medal here. I'm very thankful to everyone who has supported me, especially JSW," said Vithya.
Prachi Choudhary also celebrated a remarkable double achievement. After securing a bronze in the individual 400m event, the relay gold has added a crowning jewel to her tournament.
"I'm really, really happy. I think it's still sinking in that I've won two medals at the Asian Games. The 400m bronze was very special for me, and to now win gold with the relay team makes this Games even more memorable," Prachi shared.
A Landmark Day for Indian Athletics
The relay triumph was not the only highlight for the Indian contingent on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Neeru Dhanda made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual medal in the women's trap event, also securing a gold medal. Together, these performances have signaled a major breakthrough for India in the athletics arena at the Asian Games 2026.