Vithya Ramraj breaks PT Usha’s 42-year national record to take 400m hurdles bronze at Asian Games

India’s Vithya Ramraj won bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan on Monday, September 28, clocking a personal-best 54.75 seconds to set a new Indian national record.

The previous national benchmark of 55.42 seconds was held by PT Usha, set on August 8, 1984 at the Los Angeles Olympics; Ramraj, aged 26, had earlier equalled that time during the heats at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and became the first Indian woman to run under 55 seconds with her 54.75.

Gold went to UAE’s Mariam Kareem in a Games record 54.31, while Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems took silver with a personal-best 54.58; India’s Anu Raghavan finished fifth in 55.88, and four of the eight finalists recorded personal bests in the final.

Ramraj’s bronze continues a run of consecutive Asian Games medals in the women’s 400m hurdles, following her earlier bronze at the Hangzhou Games, and is one of three Asiad medals she has won: bronze in the 400m hurdles (2026), bronze in the 400m hurdles (2022) and a silver in the mixed 4x400m relay.

Her mixed 4x400m relay silver at Aichi-Nagoya came alongside teammates Manu Thekkinalil, Poovamma Raju and Vishal T. K., with India posting a time of 3:14.46.

Ramraj is scheduled to compete in the women’s 4x400m relay at the Asian Games, providing a confirmed opportunity to add to her medal tally.