M.R. Poovamma said the memory of India narrowly missing the women's 4x400m relay gold at the previous Asian Games never left the team's mind — and that unfinished business drove the quartet to the top of the podium at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Tuesday, 29 September. The win marks India's first-ever gold in the women's 4x400m relay at the Asian Games.

A Gold Built on Unfinished Business

Running the second leg of the relay, Poovamma described the result as vindication of a promise the team had made to itself. 'Very proud because we wanted this gold very badly. The 4x400 women's team also wanted it badly because at the last Asian Games we missed it by microseconds. We wanted to keep that in mind, so we won the gold. We heard the national anthem, and we are all very proud,' she said after the race.

The Indian quartet — Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary, and Vithya Ramraj — clocked a time of 3:29.69, finishing ahead of Bahrain (3:30.21) and China (3:31.02). The victory improved on India's silver-medal finish from the previous edition of the Games.

Poovamma's Message to the Next Generation

The veteran sprinter also used the occasion to send a message to younger Indian athletes navigating injuries and self-doubt. 'I just want to tell them to keep working hard no matter what. Age is just a number; it is not a barrier. It does not matter. Keep working hard; that is what matters. Whatever the injuries or whatever, if you are not able to perform, keep working hard and keep moving forward. Surely, hard work pays off,' she said.

Poovamma's longevity in Indian athletics makes the sentiment more than motivational boilerplate — it is a lived example of sustained high performance across multiple continental cycles.

The Role of Institutional Support

The gold medallist credited the Khelo India programme, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and the government for backing the team's preparation. A training camp in Poland, a subsequent camp in the Czech Republic, and a one-week camp in Tokyo were cited as key elements of the build-up. 'The support from them has been very important. Everything was very helpful, and that is what matters. We have won a gold,' she said.

This comes amid a broader push by the Indian government to fund elite athletics through structured international exposure ahead of major multi-sport events.

A Personal Triumph, A Family Dedication

After the race, Poovamma said she had spoken with her parents, husband, and brother — all of whom were overjoyed. She also revealed a personal milestone waiting at home: she had not seen her niece in six to seven months and was eager to return. 'I just want to reach home and see my baby... I have a niece, and I want to see her very badly,' she said.

She dedicated the medal to her country, her family, and all who had supported her career, including the AFI, SAI, and the government. With this gold in hand, India's women's 4x400m relay unit will look to build on the moment and cement their standing at the highest levels of Asian athletics.