Seema Kumari wins bronze in women’s 10,000m at Asian Games 2026
(Courtesy : @afiindia/Twitter)
This is India’s first medal in the event in 16 years
India’s Seema Kumari made history by clinching a bronze medal in the women’s 10,000m event at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday, September 24. Seema finished third at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, clocking a time of 32:50.05 seconds.
The gold medal was won by Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, who clocked 32:39.18. Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka clinched silver by registering a time of 32:41.54.
Related: Asian Games 2026: India’s updated schedule, results for Day 6 (September 25)
Seema made a strong start to the long-distance race, staying within touching distance of Yavi and Tanaka. As the race entered the final lap, the top two runners raced ahead, pulling away from Seema.
However, the Indian runner kept her composure to finish in third place, 10.87 seconds behind Yavi. Seema finished more than 13 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Daisy Jepkemei of Kazakhstan, who clocked 32:50.05.
As a result, Seema ended India’s 16-year wait for an Asian Games medal in the women’s 10,000m event.
Related: Asian Games 2026: India’s medal winners, live medal tally, results
Seema ends India’s long wait
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India had to wait for a women’s 10,000m medal at the Asian Games for 16 years. The last time an Indian athlete won an Asiad medal in this event was during the 2010 Guangzhou Games, with Preeja Sreedharan clinching gold and Kavita Raut winning silver.
Now, Seema has etched her name in history as one of the best long-distance runners in the country.
The Himachal Pradesh native has already won several medals, including a silver medal in the 5,000m event at the 2025 World University Games and a gold medal at the 2024 Asian Cross Country Championships.
How did Seema Kumari perform at the Asian Games 2026?
She won a bronze medal in the women’s 10,000m event. She finished third in the women’s 10,000m final, clocking 32:50.05.
When did India last win a medal in the women’s 10,000m at Asian Games?
India last won medals in the women’s 10,000m at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.
Who won gold in the women’s 10,000m at Asian Games 2026?
Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi won the gold medal with a time of 32:39.18.
Which medal did Seema Kumari win at Asian Games 2026?
Seema clinched bronze in the women’s 10000m, clocking 32:50.05s to win India’s first medal in the event in 16 years.
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