India made a significant impact on the opening day of the track and field competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, securing both silver and bronze medals. The successful campaign at the Paloma Mizuho stadium on Thursday, September 24, was defined by tactical precision in the relay events and a breakthrough performance in long-distance running.
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Tactical Execution and Dramatic Relay Finish
The relay final was marked by high drama as the UAE, which had maintained a strong lead for much of the race, suffered a late-stage collapse when Mariam Kareem dropped the baton shortly before the final lap. Despite a subsequent protest from the UAE, the disqualification stood, clearing the path for India to secure second place. Bahrain claimed the gold medal, setting a new Games record of 3:12.87, anchored by the performance of Salwa Eid Naser.
For India, the race was a display of endurance and composure. Vishal T.K. set a blistering pace on the lead-off leg, while Poovamma and Manu maintained the team's position in the pack. Vithya Ramraj, the only returning member from the 2023 silver-medal-winning squad, delivered a powerful final leg to edge out Vietnam by a margin of 0.08 seconds.
Seema Ends Long-Distance Drought
Earlier in the day, Seema achieved a significant milestone by securing the bronze medal in the women's 10,000m with a time of 32:50.05. This achievement marked the first time an Indian woman has medaled in the event at the Asian Games since 2010. Competing in her debut Asiad, the 25-year-old demonstrated remarkable race intelligence, adapting her strategy mid-race to stay with a lead group that included elite competitors like Yavi Winfred, Ruth Jebet, and Nozomi Tanaka.
Reflecting on her performance, Seema noted that she initially led the race but adjusted her approach after realizing the tactical nature of the competition. While she admitted to being unable to match the final push of the leaders, she expressed confidence that the experience gained in Nagoya would prove invaluable for her upcoming 5000m event. Elsewhere on the track, the day saw mixed results for the Indian contingent. Triple jumper Asha Ilango narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth with a best jump of 13.83m, losing out to China's Li Yi on a countback. Meanwhile, sprinters Animesh Kujur and Gurindervir Singh successfully advanced to the semifinals of the 100m, and heptathletes Anamika A.K. and Pooja concluded the first four events in seventh and ninth place, respectively.
