Aichi-Nagoya: India won their first athletics gold at the Asian Games 2026, with the women’s 4x400m relay team finishing first in the final. Vithya Ramraj, Kiran Pahal, Machettira Poovamma and Prachi combined to clock 3:29.69. Bahrain took silver in 3:30.21, 0.52 seconds behind India, while China claimed bronze in 3:31.02.
The Indian quartet held their nerve over the four laps and pulled clear of Bahrain and China in the closing stages. The result marked a landmark moment for Indian athletics, with the women’s relay team delivering gold on a memorable evening at the Games.
The win also capped a memorable campaign for Vithya Ramraj, who collected her third medal of the 2026 Games. She had earlier helped India win silver in the mixed 4x400m relay and then claimed bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles, where her run of 54.75 seconds broke PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record of 55.42 seconds. On Tuesday, she returned to the track to play her part in the gold-medal-winning relay quartet.
Other medals on Tuesday
India had already picked up medals before the women’s relay took centre stage. Pooja won bronze in the women’s high jump, while Gulveer Singh secured bronze in the men’s 5000m. Gulveer clocked 13:32.75, completing a hat-trick of medals at these Games after earlier silver medals in the 10,000m and 1500m. India also finished third in the mixed 4x100m relay, adding another podium finish to a packed evening of athletics.
The relay finals were among several medal events scheduled for Tuesday, alongside the high jump, hammer throw, 800m and 5000m finals.
Disappointments
There were setbacks as well. Avinash Sable did not start the men’s 5000m final after missing out on a medal in the 3000m steeplechase. In the women’s hammer throw, Anushka Yadav and Tanya Chaudhary both featured in the final but could not win a medal. Tanya finished fourth with a personal best of 63.35m, while Anushka ended fifth with a best effort of 64.56.
Relay team holds off pressure
The quartet had to withstand pressure from Bahrain and China, but India ran a controlled race across the four legs to finish in 3:29.69. Bahrain came home second in 3:30.21, with China third in 3:31.02.
For Vithya, the gold was a fitting end to a remarkable Games. With this medal added to her silver and bronze, she leaves Aichi-Nagoya with three medals, while India finally have their long-awaited athletics gold.
After days of silver and bronze medals across track and field, the women’s 4x400m relay team delivered the moment Indian athletics had been waiting for.
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