Rijiju hails India's Silver in 4x400m Mixed Relay at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated MR Poovamma, Vithya Ramraj, Manu TS and Vishal TK after Team India claimed silver in the 4x400m Mixed Relay at Asian Games 2026, praising their speed, strength and teamwork.
Key Takeaways
Team India won the silver medal in the 4x400m Mixed Relay at Asian Games 2026 .
The relay quartet comprised MR Poovamma , Vithya Ramraj , Manu TS , and Vishal TK .
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju posted his congratulations on September 24, 2026 .
MR Poovamma is one of India's most experienced 400m and relay athletes at the international level.
The Asian Games is organised every four years by the Olympic Council of Asia and is a key performance benchmark for Indian athletics.
Four athletes, one baton, and a silver medal — Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju took to X on Thursday, September 24, 2026 to celebrate Team India's podium finish in the 4x400m Mixed Relay at the Asian Games 2026, saluting a run built on speed, strength, and flawless teamwork.
Rijiju named all four members of the relay quartet — MR Poovamma, Vithya Ramraj, Manu TS, and Vishal TK — as India secured the silver medal, signing off with the hashtags #AsianGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat in a post that quickly drew attention from fans and officials alike.
Poovamma and the relay quartet's run to silver
MR Poovamma is one of India's most experienced relay runners, with a career that spans multiple continental and global championships in the 400m and relay events. Alongside her, Vithya Ramraj has established herself as one of the sharper young talents in Indian women's sprinting. The men's legs were anchored by Manu TS and Vishal TK, completing a mixed-format quartet that blends the best of both sprinting disciplines.
The 4x400m Mixed Relay — where two men and two women alternate legs — has become one of the marquee track events at continental Games, demanding not just individual speed but precise baton exchanges and tactical running order. A silver at the Asian Games places India firmly among the continent's elite relay nations.
Ministers at the scoreboard: India's social-media sports diplomacy
Rijiju's congratulatory post fits a well-established pattern: senior Indian ministers have consistently used social media to amplify national team results at multi-sport events, turning official acknowledgment into real-time national celebration. For athletes who often train far from the spotlight, a shout-out from a Union Minister with a large following is both recognition and motivation.
The Asian Games, held every four years under the Olympic Council of Asia, also serve as a critical performance barometer for Indian athletics ahead of the global calendar. Relay squads that medal here typically attract enhanced national coaching attention and funding consideration in subsequent cycles.
Four runners, one silver, and a government that was watching — India's relay story at Asian Games 2026 is one more chapter in a track programme that is quietly raising its continental ceiling.
Point of View
And India's podium presence at Asian Games 2026 could influence selections and funding conversations ahead of the next global cycle. The broader pattern of ministers amplifying athlete results on social media also reflects a deliberate government strategy to build public investment in track and field, a discipline historically overshadowed by cricket. If the relay programme sustains this continental competitiveness, it strengthens the case for structural support rather than ad hoc recognition.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 4x400m Mixed Relay silver at Asian Games 2026?
Team India — comprising MR Poovamma, Vithya Ramraj, Manu TS and Vishal TK — won the silver medal in the 4x400m Mixed Relay at Asian Games 2026.
What is the 4x400m Mixed Relay event?
The 4x400m Mixed Relay is a track event where a team of four athletes — two men and two women — each run one 400-metre leg, passing a baton between them. The mixed format was added to major multi-sport events to promote gender parity in athletics.
Why did Kiren Rijiju comment on the Asian Games result?
As Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and a senior government figure, Rijiju regularly uses social media to publicly acknowledge Team India's performances at major multi-sport events, amplifying national sporting achievements.
What are the Asian Games?
The Asian Games are a continental multi-sport event held every four years and organised by the Olympic Council of Asia, bringing together athletes from across the continent to compete across a wide range of sports.
