Vithya Ramraj Breaks a 42-Year-Old Record and Wins Three Asian Games Medals

Indian sprinter Vithya Ramraj has returned from the 2026 Asian Games with three medals and a national record that had stood for more than four decades.

At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, Ramraj won gold in the women’s 4×400-meter relay, silver in the mixed 4×400-meter relay and bronze in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.

A Record-Breaking Race

Ramraj’s most significant individual achievement came in the 400-meter hurdles. She finished the race in 54.75 seconds, breaking the Indian women’s national record of 55.42 seconds.

The previous mark had been set by legendary Indian athlete P. T. Usha at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The record had remained in place for more than 40 years before Ramraj surpassed it.

Her time also made her the first Indian woman to complete the 400-meter hurdles in under 55 seconds.

A Family’s Long Journey

Ramraj’s achievement has particular significance for her family. Her father worked as a truck driver and took additional shifts to support the family while his daughters pursued athletics.

Vithya and her twin sister Nithya began competing at district level before progressing to higher-level competitions. According to their father, Vithya’s breakthrough came after three years of sustained training.

Three Medals in One Asian Games

Ramraj’s record-breaking bronze was only part of her successful campaign in Nagoya.

She helped India win silver in the mixed 4×400-meter relay before joining the women’s 4×400-meter relay team that captured gold. Her three medals gave her a complete set from the same Asian Games.

The women’s relay victory was also India’s only athletics gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

A New Chapter in Her Career

Ramraj had already established herself as a leading Indian quarter-miler before the Asian Games. Her latest performances, however, brought her career to a new level as she combined individual record-breaking success with medals in two relay events.

After the hurdles final, Ramraj dedicated her bronze medal to her twin sister, who was dealing with an injury.

From a Truck Driver’s Family to the Asian Games Podium

Behind Ramraj’s three medals is a story of years of training and family support. Her father’s work helped provide the foundation for his daughters to continue competing, while Vithya’s performances eventually brought her onto one of the biggest stages in Asian athletics.

Her record-breaking run in Nagoya has now added a new chapter to India’s women’s athletics history, replacing a mark that had survived since the 1980s.

Sources

• Reuters — “Of swipes, reels and sprints: Vithya Ramraj’s star turn” — October 1, 2026.
• Indian Express — “Records are meant to be broken: PT Usha lauds Vithya after Asian Games bronze” — October 1, 2026.
• Athletics Federation of India — Vithya Ramraj athlete profile and competition results — updated October 1, 2026.
• ANI — “Three years of training bear fruit as Vithya Ramraj wins 3 Asian Games medals, says father” — October 1, 2026.