India strike Gold in Women’s 4x400m relay.

Historic victory ends Athletics drought at Asian Games 2026.

India’s long wait for an athletics gold at the Asian Games 2026 ended dramatically when the women’s 4x400m relay team stormed to victory in Aichi-Nagoya. The quartet of Vithya Ramraj, Kiran Pahal, Machettira Poovamma, and Prachi combined grit and precision to clock 3:29.69, finishing ahead of Bahrain and China to secure the nation’s first athletics gold of the competition.

The race unfolded with Kiran Pahal starting strongly, handing over in third place. Poovamma’s powerful second leg shifted India into the lead, while Prachi maintained composure to keep the team ahead. Anchoring the final lap, Vithya Ramraj held off Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Nasr in a tense finish to seal a landmark triumph. Bahrain settled for silver with 3:30.21, and China claimed bronze in 3:31.02.

This victory carried added significance as India risked leaving the Games without an athletics gold for the first time since 1994. The relay team’s performance ensured that history did not repeat itself, delivering a breakthrough moment for Indian track and field.

For Vithya Ramraj, the gold capped a remarkable personal campaign. Already decorated with silver in the mixed 4x400m relay and bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles, she completed a three-medal haul. Her bronze was historic in its own right, as her 54.75 seconds in the hurdles broke PT Usha’s national record of 55.42 seconds, which had stood for 42 years. Ramraj’s consistency across events highlighted her emergence as one of India’s standout athletes of the Games.

India’s athletics contingent also celebrated other podium finishes that day. Pooja secured bronze in the women’s high jump, while Gulveer Singh added bronze in the men’s 5000m, completing his own medal treble after earlier successes in the 10,000m and 1500m. The mixed 4x100m relay team clinched bronze, and the men’s 4x400m relay quartet added another bronze, clocking 3:01.61 behind Japan and Qatar.

Despite setbacks, including Avinash Sable’s withdrawal from the 5000m final and near misses in the women’s hammer throw, the evening belonged to the women’s relay team. Their gold medal not only ended India’s drought but also symbolized resilience and determination, ensuring the nation’s athletics campaign at the 2026 Asian Games will be remembered for its defining breakthrough.