Nagoya, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian hurdler Vithya Ramraj scripted a significant milestone at the Asian Games 2026 on Monday, winning bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles while breaking the 42-year-old national record held by legendary athlete PT Usha.
Ramraj clocked a personal best of 54.75 seconds to finish third in the final, improving Usha’s previous national record of 55.42 seconds by 0.67 seconds. Usha had set the record at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where she narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth.
Ramraj had equalled Usha’s record at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she also claimed bronze. Three years later, she has surpassed the mark outright, setting a new benchmark in Indian athletics.
The Indian athlete remained in medal contention throughout the race and held her position in the closing stages. However, she could not match the late surge of Mariam Kareem of the United Arab Emirates, who clinched gold in a Games-record time of 54.31 seconds. Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems secured silver with a personal best of 54.58 seconds.
The bronze marked Ramraj’s second consecutive Asian Games medal in the event. Her performance also improved significantly on her previous personal best of 55.42 seconds.
India’s other finalist, Anu Raghavan, also delivered a strong performance, finishing fifth in 55.88 seconds. Running in lane eight, Raghavan lowered her personal best from 56.54 seconds.
Ramraj’s latest achievement adds another chapter to her Asian Games journey, following her bronze-medal finish in Hangzhou in 2023. By moving beyond the record she had previously shared with Usha, she has now established a new national record in the women’s 400m hurdles.
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