Three years of training bear fruit as Vithya Ramraj wins 3 Asian Games medals, says father
Vithya Ramraj secures gold, silver, and bronze at the 2026 Asian Games, breaking PT Usha's long-standing national record in the 400m hurdles.
Three years of training bear fruit as Vithya Ramraj wins 3 Asian Games medals, says father
Indian athletics star Vithya Ramraj has returned from the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 with a spectacular haul of three medals, marking a historic milestone for Indian track and field. Her performance, which includes a gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay, has been hailed by her father as the culmination of three years of relentless training and sacrifice.
A Historic Triple Medal Haul
Ramraj's dominance in Japan was evident across multiple disciplines, securing a medal of every color:
- Gold: Women's 4x400m relay
- Silver: Mixed 4x400m relay
- Bronze: Women's 400m hurdles
Her achievement in the 400m hurdles was particularly significant. Despite challenging wet conditions at the Mizuho Stadium, Ramraj cleared all ten hurdles to clock a personal best of 54.75 seconds. This performance allowed her to shatter the 42-year-old national record previously held by the legendary PT Usha, who set a mark of 55.42 seconds during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Breaking the Legend's Record
The victory in the hurdles saw Ramraj finish behind UAE's Mariam Kareem, who set a new Games record, and Kazakhstan's Adelina Zems. While Ramraj had equalled the national record during the semifinals in Hangzhou, her performance in the final cemented her place in Indian sporting history.
Relay Success for India
Ramraj played a pivotal role in securing India's first athletics gold of the 2026 Asian Games. Running alongside Kiran Pahal, Machettira Poovamma, and Prachi Choudhary, the quartet clocked 3:29.69 in the women's 4x400m relay to defeat Bahrain and China.
She also contributed to a silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay. Partnering with Manu TS, Poovamma MR, and Vishal TK, Ramraj delivered a powerful final leg to secure second place for India with a time of 3:14.46, finishing just behind the gold-winning Bahraini team.
From District Meets to Asian Glory
The journey from a small town in Tamil Nadu to the podium in Japan is a testament to perseverance. Vithya's father, who worked grueling shifts as a truck driver to support his family, shared the emotional weight of their success. He noted that both Vithya and her twin sister, Nithya, began their journey by winning district-level competitions.
"Vithya and her sister Nithya participated in district-level competitions and won several events, following which they qualified for a final competition in Tiruvannamalai," her father explained. Following their success there, the sisters were granted the opportunity to train professionally at a Sports Hostel, a move that proved transformative for their lives and their families.