Nagoya, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha congratulated distance runner Seema Kumari and India’s mixed 4x400m relay team after they secured medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Thursday.
Usha, who is in Nagoya supporting the Indian contingent, shared photographs with the medal winners and praised their performances.
Congratulating Seema on her bronze in the women’s 10,000m, Usha said the result ended India’s 16-year wait for a medal in the event.
“Hearty congratulations to Seema Kumari on winning the bronze in the women’s 10,000m! Your achievement has ended the 16-year wait for this medal and opened doors for more such wins. Chase your dreams harder now and make the country proud!” Usha posted on X.
Seema clocked 32:50.05 to finish third behind Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, who won gold in 32:39.18, and Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka, who took silver in 32:41.54.
The Indian runner began strongly and led the field during the opening 2,000 metres. She later dropped to fourth as the pace increased but regained third place with 1,000 metres remaining and maintained her position to secure bronze.
The medal was India’s first in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games since the 2010 edition, when Preeja Sreedharan won gold and Kavita Raut took silver.
Usha also congratulated India’s mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Machettira Poovamma, Vishal Thennarasu, Vithya Ramraj and Thekkinalil Manu after their silver-medal finish.
“Congratulations to our 4X400m Mixed Relay team of Poovamma Raju, Vishal Thennarasu, Vithya Ramraj and Manu TS for clinching the silver medal! Seeing your victory in the event closest to my heart filled me with immense pride. Wishing you many more such wins in the future!” she said.
The Indian quartet clocked 3:14.46 to finish behind Bahrain, which won gold in a Games-record 3:12.87. Vietnam secured bronze in 3:14.54, just 0.08 seconds behind India.
The silver extended India’s medal streak in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games. India won gold at Jakarta in 2018, followed by silver at Hangzhou in 2023 and another silver in Nagoya.
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