Vithya Ramaraj turns on the afterburner, holds off Vietnam by 0.08 seconds as India storm to 4x400m medley silver at the Asian Games

– Athletics – Paloma Mizuho Sports Park, Nagoya, Japan – September 24, 2026. India’s Poovamma Raju Machettira in action during the 4x400m medley relay final India on Thursday added another athletics medal at the Asian Games as the 4x400m mixed relay team of Manu, Vithya Ramaraj, Poovamma and Vishal TK won silver in Nagoya.Vishal TK took off for India but failed to make much of an impact in the beginning. Poovamma then took the lead and India risked dropping out of the medal race before a burst in the final 50m brought the team back into contention. She passed the baton to Manu with India in third.Manu kept India in the race before handing over Vithya Ramaraj in the last over. Vithya, known for her strong anchor legs, leveled in the last lap to pull India to second place and seal the silver.Asian Games full coverage | Schedule | Medal countsBahrain’s Salwa Eid Nasser has already moved ahead to lead her team to gold in a Games record 3:12.87. India finished in 3:14.46 while Vietnam took the bronze in 3:14.54.Earlier in the day, India’s sixteen-year wait for a women’s 10,000m medal at the Asian Games ended when Seema Kumari won bronze in Nagoya.In a race that slowly built before coming to life in the closing stages, Seema stayed in contention for the medals until the end. Winfred Yavi and Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka broke away to sprint for gold and silver, while Seema avoided the rest of the field to secure third place.

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Share an opinionYavi won gold in 32:39.18, Tanaka took silver in 32:41.54. Seema finished the race in 32:50.05 to win bronze.It was India’s first women’s 10,000m medal at the Asian Games in 16 years.