Asian Games: Seema Kumari makes history with 10,000m bronze, ends India’s 16-year wait

Seema Devi (left) during the women’s 10,000m final India’s 16-year wait for a women’s 10,000m medal at the Asian Games ended on Thursday as athlete Seema Kumari clinched a bronze medal in Nagoya.In a race that slowly built before coming to life at the finish, Seema stayed in contention for the medals until the closing stages. Winfred Yavi and Nozomi Tanaka broke away in the sprint to decide gold and silver, while Seema avoided the rest of the field to secure third place.It was India’s first women’s 10,000m medal at the Asian Games in 16 years, with Seema becoming the latest name to make the cut at the event.Winfred Yavi secured the gold medal in 32:39.18, while Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka finished second in 32:41.54 to take silver. Seema Kumari secured the bronze medal by clocking 32:50.05 in the women’s 10,000m final.Asian Games full coverage | Schedule | Medal countsIt is only the third medal for India at this event in the continental games.