Indian athletes
Vithya Ramraj’s campaign was particularly notable for her performance in the women's 400m hurdles, where she clocked a time of 54.75 seconds. This effort not only earned her a bronze medal but also saw her surpass the long-standing national record previously held by PT Usha. In addition to her individual success, Ramraj contributed to the team's effort in the mixed 4x400m relay, where she secured a silver medal. These latest achievements bring her total career tally at the Asian Games to five medals.
Reflecting on Record-Breaking Performances
Following her success in the 400m hurdles, Ramraj expressed her satisfaction with the results, attributing her progress to the support received from various organizations, including the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), TOPS, the state government, Indian Railways, and JSW. She noted that the combination of institutional backing and personal effort was instrumental in her ability to set both a personal best and a new national record.
Parul Chaudhary also enjoyed a highly productive outing, claiming bronze medals in both the women's 3000m steeplechase and the women's 5000m. Her performance in the steeplechase was highlighted by a personal best time of 9:08. Reflecting on her busy schedule, Chaudhary mentioned that her success was part of a strong two-day run, which also included achieving a personal best in the 1500m event. With these latest podium finishes, Chaudhary has now accumulated four Asian Games medals throughout her career.
Chaudhary credited institutions like the IIS for providing the necessary resources to compete at a high level, noting that the support system allowed her to focus on her training and performance goals. Both athletes expressed gratitude toward their supporters and the various bodies that have facilitated their journey to the 2026 Asian Games, as they look back on a series of performances that have significantly elevated their standing in international athletics.
