CM Samrat Choudhary hails Bihar's Setu Mishra for Asian U-23 double medal
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary praised Champaran athlete Setu Mishra for winning a gold in the 4x400m mixed relay and a silver in the 4x400m men's relay at the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship, making him the first Bihar athlete to claim two medals at a single edition of the event.
Key Takeaways
Setu Mishra from Champaran, Bihar won two medals — gold in the 4x400m mixed relay and silver in the 4x400m men's relay — at the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship .
He became the first athlete from Bihar to win two medals at a single edition of the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship.
Mishra ran the third leg of the men's 4x400m relay, providing a crucial lead to the Indian team.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary publicly congratulated Mishra and the full Indian team on 12 July 2026 .
The achievement is seen as an inspiration for Bihar's youth to pursue excellence in competitive sports.
India's relay success at under-23 level reflects the broader impact of the Khelo India programme launched in 2017.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday, 12 July 2026, congratulated athlete Setu Mishra from Champaran, Bihar, for becoming the first athlete from the state to win two medals at a single edition of the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship, praising the performance as a source of pride for Bihar and inspiration for its youth.
Posting in Hindi on X, Chief Minister Choudhary wrote: 'बिहार के लाल ने एशिया में लहराया तिरंगा!' ('A son of Bihar has hoisted the tricolour across Asia!'). He noted that Setu Mishra ran the third leg of the 4×400 metre men's relay, providing a crucial lead that helped India clinch the silver medal. Earlier in the same championship, Mishra had already won a gold medal in the 4×400 metre mixed relay event.
Context
According to Chief Minister Choudhary's post, Setu Mishra thus became the first athlete from Bihar to win two medals — one gold and one silver — at a single Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship, a historic milestone for the state's sporting record. The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to Mishra and the entire Indian team, wishing them a bright future.
Champaran, the district Mishra hails from, carries historical and cultural significance in Bihar and is not conventionally associated with elite athletics, making his continental double-medal haul a notable achievement for the region.
Policy Backdrop
India's growing relay competitiveness at the under-23 level has been supported in part by the Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, which directed resources toward identifying athletic talent in states beyond traditional sports hubs. Bihar, with one of India's largest youth populations, has been among the states where grassroots talent identification has expanded under such central schemes.
The programme's focus on district-level scouting aligns with the emergence of athletes like Mishra from smaller districts such as Champaran, reflecting a broader national effort to widen the sports talent pipeline.
Stakeholders and Impact
Setu Mishra's performance is expected to resonate strongly among Bihar's youth, a demographic the state government has consistently sought to engage through sports and skill development. Chief Minister Choudhary explicitly noted that Mishra's success 'will continue to inspire Bihar's youth to excel in sports.'
Indian relay athletes competing at the under-23 level also feed into the senior national pool, making performances at events like the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship significant markers for the country's long-term athletics planning.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to whether Bihar or central authorities announce any formal recognition, cash awards, or enhanced training support for Setu Mishra following his historic double-medal performance. State governments across India have increasingly used such continental junior successes to announce athlete welfare measures.
Mishra's progression to senior Asian Athletics Championships and national-level relay squads will be closely watched as India continues to build its relay depth ahead of future continental and global competitions.
Point of View
India's relay performances are increasingly competitive, and Bihar's contribution through athletes from non-traditional districts marks a meaningful shift in the country's sports geography.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Setu Mishra and where is he from?
Setu Mishra is an athlete from Champaran district in Bihar who represented India in relay events at the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship, winning a gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay and a silver in the 4x400m men's relay.
What medals did India win in the 4x400m relay at the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship?
India won a gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay and a silver medal in the 4x400m men's relay at the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship, with Setu Mishra contributing to both performances.
Why is Setu Mishra's achievement historic for Bihar?
Setu Mishra became the first athlete from Bihar to win two medals at a single edition of the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championship, a milestone highlighted by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say about Setu Mishra?
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary congratulated Mishra and the Indian team, saying Mishra's success 'will continue to inspire Bihar's youth to excel in sports,' and described the achievement as a matter of pride for the state.
What is the Khelo India programme and how does it relate to Bihar athletes?
Khelo India is a central government programme launched in 2017 to promote grassroots sports participation and identify talent across Indian states, including Bihar, supporting athletes from smaller districts like Champaran.
