Vithya Ramraj smashes PT Usha’s 42-year national record to win bronze in women’s 400m hurdles
Vithya has become the first Indian to hit sub-44s in this event
India’s Vithya Ramraj made history at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, clinching a bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles event on Monday, September 28.
The 26-year-old hurdler finished third with a personal-best time of 54.75 seconds, breaking PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record in the event.
PT Usha held a national record at 55.42 seconds, which she set on August 8, 1984, at the Los Angeles Olympics. Ramraj had earlier equalled this record in 2023, running 55.42 seconds during the heats at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
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Not only has Ramraj now smashed the decades-old record at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, but she has also become the first Indian woman to break the 55-second mark in the 400m hurdles event.
The gold medal was claimed by UAE’s Mariam Kareem, who clocked a Games record of 54.31 seconds. Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems clinched the silver medal with a personal-best time of 54.58 seconds.
India’s Anu Raghavan finished in fifth place with a personal-best time of 55.88 seconds. Interestingly, four of the eight finalists recorded personal bests on Monday.
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Vithya Ramraj’s second medal at Asian Games 2026
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Ramraj now has consecutive Asian Games medals in the women’s 400m hurdles event, having earlier claimed a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Games.
The latest hurdles bronze is the second medal for Ramraj at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. She was part of the Indian mixed 4x400m relay team, along with Manu Thekkinalil, Poovamma Raju, and Vishal T. K., that won a silver medal. India clocked 3:14.46 in the event.
Also Read: Athletics at Asian Games 2026: India’s full list of medal winners, medal tally, results
Ramraj can further add to her tally at the 20th Asian Games as she is scheduled to compete in the women’s 4x400m relay.
How did Vithya Ramraj perform at Asian Games 2026?
She won bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
What is Vithya Ramraj’s 400m hurdles record?
She set a new Indian national record of 54.75 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
What is Vithya Ramraj’s Asian Games medal tally?
She has won three Asiad medals, with silver in the mixed 4x400m relay and bronze in the 400m hurdles (2026), and bronze in the 400m hurdles (2022).
Who holds the Indian national record in women’s 400m hurdles?
The record is now held by Vithya Ramraj at 54.75s after she shattered the previous record (55.42s) held by her predecessor PT Ushe’s, who set it at the 1984 LA Olympics. Vithya rewrote that record at the 2026 Asian Games.
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