Nagoya, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian athlete Prachi Choudhary had more than an Asian Games gold medal in mind when she stepped onto the track for the women’s 4x400m relay final. After helping India clinch the title on Tuesday, Prachi said she had already given her measurements for a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) uniform before travelling to Nagoya, as she looks forward to fulfilling her long-held dream of becoming a DSP under Uttar Pradesh’s sports policy.
Prachi, who won silver at the previous Asian Games, said the result had motivated her to return to the continental competition and win gold. Under the Uttar Pradesh sports policy, she said, gold medallists are eligible for appointment as DSPs.
“Last year I won a silver medal at the Asian Games, so I could not become a DSP. Our Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath has a sports policy under which gold medallists are made DSPs. So, when it did not happen last year, I felt bad. I decided then that I would come to the next Asian Games and definitely win gold, no matter what,” Prachi told IANS after India’s victory.
She revealed that she had already made arrangements for the uniform before leaving for the Games.
“I had already given my measurements for the uniform at home before coming here. I told them that by the time I return, the stitched uniform should be ready because I want to wear it. After this medal, many things will happen. One of my dreams, becoming a DSP, will be fulfilled. I have had that dream for a long time,” she said.
Prachi teamed up with Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma and Vithya Ramraj to win the women’s 4x400m relay gold in 3:29.69. India finished ahead of Bahrain, which clocked 3:30.21, and China, which finished in 3:31.02. Prachi, who had also won an individual bronze in the 400m at the Games, ran the third leg of the relay before handing over the baton to Vithya for the anchor leg.
She said the quartet had been focused on winning gold and supporting one another throughout the race.
“We all four were saying the same thing in the team, that we had to win gold, whatever happened. We had to support each other and give the baton exchanges with as much lead as possible. That was what was going through our minds,” she said.
For Prachi, the victory was also a moment to make her family proud and encourage young athletes, particularly girls, to pursue sports.
“I will go home and show it to my father. He will be very happy, my mother will be very happy, and they will be proud of me. My biggest thing is that my family should be proud of me,” she said.
She added that seeing young athletes draw inspiration from her journey would be another meaningful outcome of the achievement. Recalling how she was inspired by Indian athletes competing abroad when she was younger, Prachi said hearing the national anthem at international events was a special experience.
“If other young children and girls see me and feel that if I can do it, they can do it too, it will give them a boost. When I was young and started sports, I also saw athletes going abroad and the national anthem being played. That feeling is different. You get goosebumps when the anthem plays,” she said.
Prachi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for their support. She also acknowledged AFI president Lalit Bhanot for motivating her ahead of the competition.
“Look, our government is supporting us a lot. Narendra Modi ji…I don’t think any previous Prime Minister has interacted with athletes this much, motivating them and encouraging them personally. He has done a great deal for sports. You can see that ever since his government came into power, our sports sector has continued to rise and improve,” she said.
Speaking about the support she received in Uttar Pradesh, Prachi said, “Our Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath ji, has completely transformed sports in Uttar Pradesh. It has reached such a level that, in the coming years, you will see many world-class elite athletes emerging from Uttar Pradesh.”
She also credited Bhanot with encouraging her to return with a medal, saying his guidance before her individual race had given her additional motivation. Prachi expressed gratitude to the AFI, TOPS, SAI and the government for their continued assistance.
The 29-year-old said the Asian Games gold would not mark a pause in her career, as she has several major competitions ahead. Having achieved a personal best this year, she is aiming to continue improving as she prepares for the Asian Championships, World Championships and the Olympics.
“I did well here, so I want to do even better in the coming years. I achieved my personal best this year, and I do not want to stop now. There are many events ahead: the Asian Championships, World Championships and then the Olympics. I have to keep moving forward,” she said.
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