CM Vijay awards Vithya Ramraj Rs 30 lakh after historic bronze at Asian Games 2026
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced a cash incentive of Rs 30 crore for athlete Vithya Ramraj after she won bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The announcement came on Monday after Ramraj produced a record-breaking performance in the final.
Ramraj clocked a personal best of 54.75 seconds to finish third breaking PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record of 55.42 seconds. Usha set the mark at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, making Ramraj’s performance one of the highlights of India’s athletics campaign in Japan.
The 28-year-old player came close to the record earlier. At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, she clocked 55.42 seconds in the heats to equal Usha’s mark. Four years later, she finally broke it, cutting the record by 0.67 seconds in Nagoya.
Congratulating Ramraj, Vijay emphasized the significance of breaking a record that had stood for more than four decades.
“Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to track and field champion Vidhya Ramraj who has brought pride to Tamil Nadu and India by winning a bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles at the ongoing Asian Games in Japan,” Vijay wrote.
“It is even more commendable that the national record of the famous Indian athlete Mrs PT Usha set in 1984 has been broken by champion Vidhya Ramraj after 42 years and she has now set a new national record.”
“In recognition of her outstanding achievement, a financial incentive of Rs 30 crore will be awarded on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Her victory will give new inspiration and confidence to the youth and women of Tamil Nadu.”
“I wish athlete Vidhya Ramraj continued success in achieving many more successes!”
WHO ALL AWARDED CM VIJAY IN ASIAN GAMES?
Ramraj has already received an incentive of Rs 50 crore from the Tamil Nadu government along with Vishal TK after the duo helped India win silver in the 4x400m medley relay earlier in the Games.
Vijay announced the rewards for several Tamil Nadu athletes during the Aichi-Nagoya Games. G Kamalini received Rs 75 lakh after being part of India’s gold medal winning T20 women’s cricket team. Badminton player A Hariharan bagged Rs 30 crore after Indian men’s team won bronze.
Baranica Elangovan was also announced with an incentive of Rs 30 crore after she won bronze in pole vault, India’s first ever Asian Games medal. Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar bagged Rs 30 crore each after bronze in squash mixed doubles, while Abhay Singh was awarded Rs 50 crore after silver in singles.
Ramraj’s latest individual medal and national record has now added another milestone to Tamil Nadu’s growing medal tally at the Asian Games.
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