Vithya Ramraj sets national 400m hurdles record, wins bronze at Asian Games
Vithya Ramraj ran 54.75 to win bronze and set a new Indian national record in the women's 400m hurdles final at the Asian Games on Monday, September 28. "Medal is in our hands, but time is not," she said after crossing the line.
Ramraj approached the final focused on improving her personal best from 2022 rather than directly chasing PT Usha's 42-year-old national record of 55.42 seconds or the podium. She had spent three years targeting the 55-second barrier and arrived at the Asian Games with a clear, time-based objective agreed with coach Nehpal Singh Rathore. "My coach said we would go 54 seconds," Ramraj recalled. "I did it, and I am so happy. The timing was so good, so I am very happy."
Rathore's plan for the race emphasised pace management and a final push: get up to speed, hold through the sixth hurdle and then empty the tank to the finish. Ramraj executed that strategy, running a controlled opening 300 metres and maintaining composure over the sixth hurdle before accelerating in the closing 50 metres.
The medals went to UAE's Mariam Kareem, who won gold in a Games record 54.31 seconds, and Kazakhstan's Adelina Zems, who took silver with a personal best of 54.58 seconds. Ramraj's 54.75 secured bronze while also lowering the national mark she had targeted.
PT Usha, whose 55.42 had stood since 1984 in Los Angeles, was present at the Games as Ramraj finished; the result ended a national mark that had lasted four decades. A tweet published during the event read: "A NEW CHAPTER IN INDIAN ATHLETICS!Vithya Ramraj wins Bronze in the Women’s 400m Hurdles at #AsianGames2026, shattering legendary PT Usha's National Record in the process! A historic run that makes the nation proud.#Cheer4Bharat"— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 28, 2026
Ramraj described her mindset as concentrating on the clock rather than medals, saying earlier that she was aiming for a specific time rather than the podium. Following the final she reiterated her broader ambitions, stating: “I want three medals, tomorrow one is waiting for me”.
Ramraj's performance produced an immediate national record and a podium finish at the Asian Games; she has signalled further competition by saying one medal is scheduled for the next day.
