Sprinter Prachi Choudhary had a mission that stretched well beyond the track when India clinched the women's 4x400m relay gold at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 — she had already submitted her measurements for a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) uniform before leaving home, banking on the gold she was determined to win.

India's quartet of Prachi Choudhary, Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma, and Vithya Ramraj clocked 3:29.69 to take the title, finishing ahead of Bahrain (3:30.21) and China (3:31.02). The victory is Prachi's second continental medal of these Games, having already secured an individual bronze in the 400m.

The DSP Dream Driving Her Gold

At the heart of Prachi's campaign in Nagoya was a promise to herself made after she missed out at the previous Asian Games. Uttar Pradesh's sports policy, championed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, confers the rank of DSP on athletes who win gold at the Asian Games — a distinction that eluded her when she returned with silver last time.

'Last year I won a silver medal at the Asian Games, so I could not become a DSP. Our Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath has a sports policy under which gold medallists are made DSPs. So, when it did not happen last year, I felt bad. I decided then that I would come to the next Asian Games and definitely win gold, no matter what,' Prachi said after India's victory.

Her confidence ahead of the final was palpable. 'I had already given my measurements for the uniform at home before coming here. I told them that by the time I return, the stitched uniform should be ready because I want to wear it. After this medal, many things will happen. One of my dreams, becoming a DSP, will be fulfilled. I have had that dream for a long time,' she added.

How India Won the Relay

Prachi, who ran the crucial third leg, passed the baton to anchor Vithya Ramraj with enough of a lead to hold off the Bahraini challenge. The team's collective mindset going into the final was unified. 'We all four were saying the same thing in the team, that we had to win gold, whatever happened. We had to support each other and give the baton exchanges with as much lead as possible. That was what was going through our minds,' Prachi said.

The winning time of 3:29.69 underscores the depth India now carries in the relay event, with all four athletes contributing a competitive split to outpace a strong Bahraini line-up.

Family Pride and Inspiring the Next Generation

The 29-year-old from Uttar Pradesh was equally moved by the personal significance of the win. 'I will go home and show it to my father. He will be very happy, my mother will be very happy, and they will be proud of me. My biggest thing is that my family should be proud of me,' she said.

Prachi also expressed hope that her journey would resonate with young girls across the country. 'If other young children and girls see me and feel that if I can do it, they can do it too, it will give them a boost. When I was young and started sports, I also saw athletes going abroad and the national anthem being played. That feeling is different. You get goosebumps when the anthem plays,' she said.

Gratitude and What Lies Ahead

Prachi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), AFI president Lalit Bhanot, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for their support. She specifically credited Bhanot for a pre-race motivational meeting that sharpened her focus.

'Before my individual race, he motivated me immensely. He had a meeting with me and told me that I had to come back with a medal. That motivated me a lot,' she said.

Despite achieving a personal best this season and now a coveted Asian Games gold, Prachi insists her ambitions are far from satisfied. 'I did well here, so I want to do even better in the coming years. There are many events ahead: the Asian Championships, World Championships and then the Olympics. I have to keep moving forward,' the sprinter said, signalling that the DSP uniform may be her next stop — but it will certainly not be her last.