"I don't know how to express...": Vithya Ramraj breaks PT Usha's record
Vithya Ramraj clinches bronze in 400m hurdles at Asian Games 2026, shattering PT Usha's legendary 1984 national record.
In a historic moment for Indian athletics, Vithya Ramraj has etched her name into the history books by clinching a bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Asian Games 2026. Her performance in Aichi-Nagoya was not just about the podium finish; it was a monumental feat that saw her shatter a national record that had remained untouched for over four decades.
A Record Standing Since 1984
The magnitude of Ramraj's achievement lies in the shadow of the legend she surpassed. By clocking a personal best of 54.75 seconds, she officially broke the long-standing national record of 55.42 seconds. That legendary mark was set by the iconic PT Usha during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While Vithya had previously matched the 55.42-second mark in 2023, she has now become the first Indian athlete to actually move past it, ending a 42-year wait for a new national standard in this event.
The Race to Bronze
The final was a high-octane encounter where precision was as vital as speed. Ramraj displayed exceptional technical skill, clearing all 10 hurdles flawlessly to secure her third-place finish. The podium was completed by:
- Gold: Mariam Kareem (UAE) with a Games record of 54.31 seconds.
- Silver: Adelina Zems (Kazakhstan) with a time of 54.58 seconds.
- Bronze: Vithya Ramraj (India) with a record-breaking 54.75 seconds.
"I never thought I would go below 56 seconds"
Overwhelmed by her success, Ramraj shared her emotions immediately following the race. The athlete admitted that her performance exceeded even her most ambitious expectations.
"I'm so happy. I don't know how to express this. I never thought I would go below the 56-second barrier... After the result came, I was so happy. I never thought, even in my dreams, that I would finish in such a good time," she told ANI.
Beyond the glory of the medal and the record, the champion's thoughts turned toward home. When asked about her celebrations, she expressed a simple, heartfelt desire: "I am missing my mom's food. I will go home and eat my mom's food."