Vithya Ramraj Wins Bronze in 400m Hurdles

Vithya Ramraj won the bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 28 September 2026. She clocked 54.75 seconds and broke PT Usha’s long-standing Indian national record of 55.42 seconds, which had stood since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Women’s 400m Hurdles

The women’s 400m hurdles is a track and field event run over one lap of a standard 400-metre track with 10 hurdles. The event is part of the athletics programme at the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and World Athletics Championships.

Indian National Record in the Event

PT Usha set the previous Indian national record of 55.42 seconds at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Vithya Ramraj had earlier equalled this mark at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she also won bronze in the same event.

Asian Games 2026 Final Results

UAE’s Mariam Kareem won gold with a Games record of 54.31 seconds, and Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems won silver in 54.58 seconds. Another Indian athlete, Anu Raghavan, finished fifth with a personal best of 55.88 seconds.

Important Facts for Exams

• The 400m hurdles race includes 10 hurdles placed at fixed intervals on the track.
• PT Usha is a former Indian sprinter and hurdler and is the current president of the Indian Olympic Association.
• The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics produced PT Usha’s 55.42-second national record in the women’s 400m hurdles.
• The Asian Games is a continental multi-sport event organised under the Olympic Council of Asia.

Record Progression in Indian Athletics

Vithya Ramraj became the first Indian woman to run the women’s 400m hurdles below 55.42 seconds. Her 54.75-second timing is a new Indian national record in the event.