Vithya Ramraj anchors India to 4x400m relay gold at Asian Games Nagoya
Synopsis
Vithya Ramraj's anchor leg made the difference as India's women's 4x400m relay quartet outran Bahrain by just 0.52 seconds in Nagoya. For Vithya, it was a third medal in one Games — capped by a national record in the 400m hurdles the previous day. India upgraded from silver at the last edition to gold, and Indian track athletics has rarely looked stronger on the continental stage.
Key Takeaways
India won gold in the women's 4x400m relay at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 29 September , clocking 3:29.69 .
The quartet of Kiran Pahal , M.R.
Poovamma , Prachi , and Vithya Ramraj beat Bahrain by just 0.52 seconds .
Vithya Ramraj completed a three-medal haul at these Games — gold (relay), silver, and bronze in individual events.
A day before the relay, Vithya broke the national record in the women's 400m hurdles , a mark that had stood for decades.
India improved on a silver from the previous edition, claiming gold and closing the track programme on a high.
Vithya Ramraj delivered a composed and commanding anchor leg as India clinched gold in the women's 4x400m relay at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Tuesday, 29 September, clocking a winning time of 3:29.69. The result ended India's wait for a track gold in the event and improved on the silver the quartet had secured at the previous edition of the Games.
The Indian team of Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma, Prachi, and Vithya held their nerve in a tightly fought final, finishing 0.52 seconds ahead of Bahrain, who clocked 3:30.21. China took bronze in 3:31.02, with Japan fourth in 3:31.44.
How the Race Unfolded
Kiran Pahal led off from lane six, handing over in third position before Poovamma used her experience on the second leg to pull India into contention at the front. The baton then went to Prachi — who had already won an individual bronze in the 400m at these Games — and she kept India firmly in medal contention before feeding Vithya for the anchor.
Vithya settled quickly and made her decisive move around the 200m mark. Bahrain's Salwa Eid Nasr, one of the most dangerous finishers in the field, launched a relentless chase and steadily closed the gap. Vithya, however, had built enough of a cushion in the early stages to withstand the pressure, maintaining her composure through the closing stretch and crossing the line first to spark jubilant celebrations in the Indian camp.
Vithya's Remarkable Three-Medal Games
The relay gold completed a three-medal haul for Vithya Ramraj at these Asian Games, adding to a silver and a bronze she had claimed in her individual events. Notably, just a day before the relay final, she had broken a national record in the women's 400m hurdles that had stood for decades — a performance that had already elevated her standing as one of India's finest track athletes on the continental stage.
This is the third medal of the Games for Vithya and cements her status as the standout performer of India's track programme at Nagoya 2026.
India's Tradition in the Women's 4x400m
The women's 4x400m relay has long been one of Indian athletics' strongest suits at the Asian Games. Tuesday's gold represents a step forward from the silver at the previous edition and reaffirms India's competitiveness against the region's best. The quartet's combined execution — disciplined baton exchanges and a decisive final leg — underlined both tactical maturity and individual quality across the lineup.
This comes amid a broader resurgence in Indian track and field at the continental level, with athletes increasingly breaking domestic records and challenging for top honours against traditionally stronger relay nations.
Final Standings and What's Next
The full order of finish in the women's 4x400m relay final: India (3:29.69), Bahrain (3:30.21), China (3:31.02), Japan (3:31.44), followed by Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, and Chinese Taipei. The result adds to India's medal tally at the Nagoya Asian Games and gives the athletics contingent a golden note on which to close the track programme.
Point of View
Built on a national record in the hurdles and a decisive anchor leg, is the kind of multi-event performance that raises the baseline expectation for Indian women on the track. The 0.52-second margin over Bahrain's Salwa Eid Nasr — arguably the most dangerous anchor in Asian athletics — shows that India is no longer just relying on tradition in this event; they are executing under pressure. The question for the national federation is whether this momentum translates into infrastructure, training support, and competitive exposure that sustains these athletes beyond a single championship cycle.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What time did India clock to win the 4x400m relay gold at the Asian Games?
India won the women's 4x400m relay gold at the Asian Games in Nagoya with a time of 3:29.69 on 29 September. Bahrain finished second in 3:30.21 and China took bronze in 3:31.02.
Who ran in India's 4x400m relay team at the Asian Games?
India's relay quartet comprised Kiran Pahal (first leg), M.R. Poovamma (second leg), Prachi (third leg), and Vithya Ramraj (anchor). All four athletes contributed to the gold-medal run in Nagoya.
How many medals did Vithya Ramraj win at the Asian Games?
Vithya Ramraj won three medals at the Nagoya Asian Games — a gold in the 4x400m relay, plus a silver and a bronze in her individual events. She also broke the national record in the women's 400m hurdles during the same campaign.
How does this result compare to India's last Asian Games performance in the relay?
India improved from a silver medal at the previous edition of the Asian Games to gold in Nagoya. The upgrade reflects consistent improvement in India's women's relay programme on the continental stage.
Who were India's closest rivals in the 4x400m relay final?
Bahrain were the closest challengers, finishing just 0.52 seconds behind India in 3:30.21, with Bahrain's Salwa Eid Nasr mounting a strong chase on the anchor leg. China completed the podium in 3:31.02.
