India wins gold in mixed 4x400m relay at Asian U23 Athletics 2026
Synopsis
India opened the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 in Ordos, China, with a gold in the mixed 4x400m relay — won by a margin of just 0.10 seconds over China — plus four more medals across distance running, steeplechase, and discus. A five-medal Day One signals serious depth in India's under-23 athletics pipeline.
Key Takeaways
Astik Pradhan , Sandramol Sabu , Setu Mishra , and Shravani Sachin Sangle won gold in the mixed 4x400m relay with a time of 3:18.64 on 9 July 2026 .
India beat China ( 3:18.74 ) by just 0.10 seconds in the relay final.
Shivaji Parashuram (silver, 14:08.19 ) and Vinod Singh (bronze, 14:23.57 ) finished second and third in the men's 5,000m .
Prachi Ankush Devkar won bronze in the women's 3,000m steeplechase , clocking 10:32.69 .
Bhartpreet Singh claimed bronze in the men's discus throw with a throw of 52.91m .
India ended Day One of the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 with 1 gold, 2 silvers, and 2 bronzes .
India's mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Astik Pradhan, Sandramol Sabu, Setu Mishra, and Shravani Sachin Sangle claimed gold on the opening day of the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 in Ordos, China, on Thursday, 9 July 2026. The team crossed the line in 3:18.64, edging out China (3:18.74) and the Philippines (3:25.28) to top the podium in what was a tight finish at the top.
Gold in the Relay, Medals Across the Board
The mixed relay gold was the centrepiece of a strong opening day for India, which also secured medals in the men's 5,000m, men's discus throw, and women's 3,000m steeplechase. The performance signals India's depth across track and field at the under-23 level, particularly in distance events.
Distance Runners Shine in Men's 5,000m
Indian distance runners Shivaji Parashuram and Vinod Singh delivered a commendable 1-2 finish for India in silver and bronze respectively in the men's 5,000m. Parashuram clocked 14:08.19 for silver, while Singh's bronze-winning run came in at 14:23.57. Japan's Rui Suzuki took gold with a time of 14:01.24.
Devkar Claims Bronze in Women's Steeplechase
Prachi Ankush Devkar finished third in the women's 3,000m steeplechase, clocking 10:32.69. China dominated the event, with Yang Yiting winning gold in 10:14.68 and Liu Yuxin taking silver in 10:25.51.
Bhartpreet Singh Earns Bronze in Discus
In the men's discus throw, Bhartpreet Singh secured bronze with a throw of 52.91m. China's Li Zhixin won gold at 60.79m, with compatriot Jiang Zehao claiming silver at 59.60m. India's medal tally on Day One stands at one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes, making it a promising start to the inaugural edition of the championships.
What This Means for Indian Athletics
The inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships serves as a critical proving ground for the next generation of Indian track and field athletes. A five-medal haul on the very first day — led by a gold in the relay — underscores the progress India has made in developing young talent. With several events still to come, the Indian contingent will look to build on this momentum through the remainder of the championships.
Point of View
Across sprints, distance, field, and steeplechase, suggest India is no longer a one-discipline story at the junior level. The real question is how many of these athletes convert U23 podiums into senior Asian Games or Olympic berths — historically, that conversion rate has been the weak link.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian athletes won gold at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026?
The Indian mixed 4x400m relay team of Astik Pradhan, Sandramol Sabu, Setu Mishra, and Shravani Sachin Sangle won gold on 9 July 2026 in Ordos, China. They clocked 3:18.64, finishing just 0.10 seconds ahead of China.
Where are the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 being held?
The inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 are being held in Ordos, a city in China. The event opened on Thursday, 9 July 2026.
How many medals did India win on Day One of the Asian U23 Athletics Championships?
India won five medals on the opening day — one gold (mixed 4x400m relay), two silvers (men's 5,000m via Shivaji Parashuram and the relay team's combined effort), and two bronzes in the men's 5,000m (Vinod Singh), women's 3,000m steeplechase (Prachi Ankush Devkar), and men's discus throw (Bhartpreet Singh).
What was India's result in the men's 5,000m at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships?
Shivaji Parashuram won silver with a time of 14:08.19, and Vinod Singh claimed bronze in 14:23.57. Japan's Rui Suzuki took gold in 14:01.24.
Who won the women's 3,000m steeplechase at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026?
China's Yang Yiting won gold in 10:14.68, with Liu Yuxin taking silver in 10:25.51. India's Prachi Ankush Devkar finished third with a time of 10:32.69.
