The race was dominated by Bahrain’s Salwa Naser, who secured the gold medal with a new Games record of 49.20 seconds. Iran’s Zahra Zarei Manoujan took the silver, finishing with a time of 52.38 seconds. India’s other representative in the final, Kiran Pahal, finished in fifth place with a time of 53.41 seconds.
Proving Individual Capability on the Continental Stage
For Choudhary, the bronze medal represents a significant personal milestone. Speaking after the race, she expressed her satisfaction in silencing critics who had previously suggested her success was limited to relay events. She noted that the medal serves as validation of her ability to compete at the highest level in individual disciplines.
The athlete also addressed the difficult conditions during the final, noting that the rain did not hinder her performance. Having trained extensively in similar weather, she remained focused on her race strategy throughout the event. With the individual 400m concluded, Choudhary has now shifted her focus toward the upcoming 4x400m relay competition.
Injury Setback for Jyothi Yarraji
While Choudhary celebrated her success, the Indian athletics contingent faced a setback elsewhere on the track. Jyothi Yarraji, who earned a silver medal in the 100m hurdles at the previous edition of the Games, was forced to withdraw from her first-round heat on Saturday.
According to a senior official from the Athletics Federation of India, Yarraji reported pain during her warm-up session. The athlete had only recently been cleared to join the 75-member squad following concerns regarding minor stress on her knee. Yarraji has been working to regain her form following surgery in July 2025 to repair an ACL tear in her right knee.
