Rajnath Singh hails India's 4x400m relay bronze at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised India's men's 4×400m relay team of Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil, Vishal Thennarasu, and Jay Kumar after they claimed a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026, calling it a proud moment for Indian athletics.
Key Takeaways
India's men's 4×400m relay quartet won a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 .
The four athletes are Dharmveer Choudhary , Manu Thekkinalil , Vishal Thennarasu , and Jay Kumar .
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted his congratulations on 29 September 2026 .
Singh credited the team's 'speed, discipline and seamless teamwork' for the podium finish.
The Asian Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event and the premier continental stage for Indian track athletes outside the Olympics.
Four runners, one baton, and a bronze medal that echoes across the track — India's men's 4×400m relay quartet delivered a standout performance at the Asian Games 2026, drawing congratulations from Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
Singh took to X to celebrate the achievement, writing: 'A proud moment for Indian athletics as the men's 4×400m relay quartet secures a Bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026. Congratulations to Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil, Vishal Thennarasu, and Jay Kumar. Their speed, discipline and seamless teamwork have brought great honour to the nation.'
The quartet that crossed the line for India
The four athletes — Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil, Vishal Thennarasu, and Jay Kumar — combined to claim the bronze in one of track athletics' most demanding team events. The 4×400m relay tests not only individual speed but the precision of baton exchanges and the collective nerve to hold pace against Asia's best. India's podium finish signals a relay programme that is building genuine continental depth.
Senior ministers and the ritual of recognition
Senior cabinet ministers routinely mark major sporting results at multi-sport events — a practice that amplifies the achievement to a national audience beyond athletics circles. Singh's post follows that tradition, lending institutional weight to a result that might otherwise reach only dedicated track fans. The Asian Games, held every four years, remain the most prestigious continental stage for Indian athletes outside the Olympics, making a relay bronze a result worth the spotlight.
Singh closed his message with a forward-looking note, wishing the quartet 'continued success and greater glory ahead' — a nod to the longer competitive road that lies beyond any single podium.
Point of View
A discipline that has historically received less attention than cricket or badminton. India's relay podium at a continental games signals a broadening of the country's athletic base, which aligns with the government's broader push to improve performance across Olympic disciplines. Whether this bronze translates into sustained relay programme funding and competition exposure will determine if it marks a genuine inflection point or remains an isolated result.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Indian athletes who won the 4x400m relay bronze at Asian Games 2026?
The four athletes are Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil, Vishal Thennarasu, and Jay Kumar, who together claimed the men's 4×400m relay bronze at the Asian Games 2026.
What did Rajnath Singh say about India's Asian Games relay medal?
Rajnath Singh called it 'a proud moment for Indian athletics' and credited the quartet's 'speed, discipline and seamless teamwork' for bringing honour to the nation.
When did India win the 4x400m relay bronze at Asian Games 2026?
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted his congratulations on 29 September 2026, the date on which the result was publicly acknowledged.
What is the Asian Games?
The Asian Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event for athletes from across Asian countries and is the most prestigious continental sporting competition outside the Olympics for Indian athletes.
Why do Indian ministers congratulate athletes on social media?
Senior ministers routinely issue such statements after major sporting results to give national visibility to achievements that might otherwise reach only specialist audiences, reinforcing government support for Indian sport.
