Vithya Ramraj powers India to Silver in Mixed 4x400m Relay.

Stunning anchor leg secures medal at Asian Games 2026.

India’s mixed 4x400m relay team delivered a thrilling performance at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, clinching silver after a dramatic final leg from Vithya Ramraj. The quartet of Poovamma Raju, Vishal Thennarasu, Manu TS, and Vithya clocked 3:14.46, finishing behind Bahrain but ahead of Vietnam in a race that kept spectators on edge until the very end.

The contest began with Vishal TK, who struggled to gain early ground. Poovamma then took over, fighting hard to keep India in contention and producing a late burst to hand the baton to Manu in third place. Manu maintained India’s position, but the team appeared destined for bronze as the final exchange approached. That was when Vithya Ramraj stepped in to rewrite the script.

Displaying impeccable timing and composure, Vithya launched a decisive surge in the closing stretch. She steadily closed the gap on Vietnam before overtaking them in the final meters, securing India’s second consecutive silver in this event after their podium finish at Hangzhou in 2023. Bahrain, led by Salwa Eid Nasser, dominated the race with a Games-record 3:12.87, while Vietnam settled for bronze in 3:14.54.

The relay silver capped a memorable evening for Indian athletics. Seema Kumari added to the celebrations by winning bronze in the women’s 10,000m, clocking 32:50.05. Her achievement ended a 16-year medal drought for India in the event and marked only the third time the country has reached the podium in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games.

For Vithya Ramraj, the performance reinforced her growing reputation as one of India’s most dependable athletes. A quarter-miler and 400m hurdler from Tamil Nadu, she first made headlines at the 2023 Asian Games by equalling the national record in the 400m hurdles. She later represented India at the Paris 2024 Olympics as part of the relay squad. Her ability to deliver under pressure has now become a hallmark of her career, and Thursday’s anchor leg was another testament to her resilience and competitive spirit.

With two medals in one evening, India’s overall tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Games rose to 17, underscoring the nation’s rising stature in athletics. Vithya’s stunning finish ensured that the silver was not just a medal, but a statement of India’s determination to remain a force on the continental stage.