Mixed 4x400m relay: India wins silver at 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya
Synopsis
India edged Vietnam by just 0.08 seconds to claim mixed 4x400m relay silver at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya — their third successive podium in the event. For debutant Manu Saji, who anchored the opening leg, it was a breakthrough continental moment following his 2022 Asian U20 gold, signalling the next generation of Indian relay talent is ready.
Key Takeaways
India won silver in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on 24 September .
The Indian quartet — Machettira Poovamma , Vishal Thennarasu , Ramraj Vithya , and Manu Saji — clocked 3:14.46 .
Bahrain won gold in a Games-record 3:12.87 ; Vietnam took bronze in 3:14.54 .
India beat Vietnam by just 0.08 seconds for the silver medal.
This is India's third successive Asian Games podium in the event: gold at Jakarta 2018 , silver at Hangzhou 2023 , and silver at Nagoya 2026 .
Debutant Manu Saji previously won gold at the 2022 Asian U20 Athletics Championships in the same event.
India clinched a silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on Thursday, 24 September, with the quartet of Machettira Poovamma, Vishal Thennarasu, Ramraj Vithya, and Thekkinalil Manu Saji clocking 3:14.46. The finish extended India's remarkable run of podium finishes in the event across successive Asian Games editions.
How the Race Unfolded
Bahrain claimed gold in a Games-record time of 3:12.87, while India held off a strong challenge from Vietnam — who finished third in 3:14.54 — by a razor-thin margin of just 0.08 seconds. The closely contested final came down to the wire, with every leg proving crucial to India's podium finish.
Manu Saji's First Asian Games Moment
For Manu Saji, a rising quarter-miler making his Asian Games debut, the silver was an especially emotional milestone. Running the opening leg, his stated mission was straightforward: deliver a clean baton handoff in a strong position. 'I have only one thing: I have to give the baton first. I try for that, and I think I give second or third, but I tried my best,' he said after the race.
Reflecting on the broader experience, Manu was visibly moved. 'I try my best, I give my best to the team, and I am very lucky to have this team. I am so proud to be representing India in the Asian Games. It is my first Asian Games, and I did well; I think so,' he said.
Notably, Manu is no stranger to relay success at the continental level — he won gold in the mixed relay at the 2022 Asian U20 Athletics Championships, making this senior medal a natural progression in his career.
India's Consistent Run in the Event
This silver adds to a proud recent history for India in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games. The country won gold at Jakarta 2018 and silver at Hangzhou 2023, making Nagoya 2026 the third consecutive edition in which India has stepped onto the podium in this event. That consistency underscores the depth of Indian quarter-mile talent and the strength of the relay programme.
What This Means for Indian Athletics
The medal is part of a broader push by Indian athletics to establish relay as a reliable source of podium finishes at multi-sport continental events. This comes amid growing investment in track-and-field depth, with emerging athletes like Manu Saji now stepping up alongside experienced campaigners. For the squad, the next target will be to close the gap on Bahrain and contend for gold at future editions.
Point of View
However, is a reminder that the silver could easily have been bronze on a different day. The real talking point is Manu Saji's emergence: a junior Asian gold medallist now contributing at the senior level is precisely the generational transfer Indian athletics needs. The gap to Bahrain — over 1.5 seconds — remains the benchmark that will define whether this relay unit can graduate from consistent podium contender to genuine gold threat.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India's result in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games?
India finished second in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, clocking 3:14.46 to win the silver medal. Bahrain took gold in a Games-record 3:12.87, while Vietnam finished third in 3:14.54.
Who ran in India's mixed 4x400m relay team at the 2026 Asian Games?
India's quartet comprised Machettira Poovamma, Vishal Thennarasu, Ramraj Vithya, and Thekkinalil Manu Saji. Manu Saji ran the opening leg on his Asian Games debut.
Who is Manu Saji and why is his medal significant?
Thekkinalil Manu Saji is an emerging Indian quarter-miler making his senior Asian Games debut at Nagoya 2026. He previously won gold in the mixed relay at the 2022 Asian U20 Athletics Championships, and this silver marks a significant step up to the senior continental stage.
How close was India's finish to Vietnam in the relay?
India edged Vietnam by just 0.08 seconds — finishing in 3:14.46 against Vietnam's 3:14.54 — to secure the silver medal. It was one of the narrowest margins of the final.
How many times has India medalled in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games?
India has now medalled in the mixed 4x400m relay at three consecutive Asian Games: gold at Jakarta 2018, silver at Hangzhou 2023, and silver at Nagoya 2026. It is one of the country's most consistent relay events at the continental level.
