Himachal Pradesh's Seema Kumari Wins Bronze in Women's 10,000m at Asian Games 2026

Seema Kumari from Himachal Pradesh has made headlines by winning a bronze medal in the women's 10,000m event at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for her career but also ends a 16-year medal drought for India in this category. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu praised her dedication and highlighted the importance of this victory for inspiring young athletes in the state. The article also covers India's overall performance at the Games, showcasing multiple medal wins across various sports. Read on to discover more about Seema's journey and India's achievements at the Asian Games.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 26, 2026, 00:22 IST

Seema Kumari Shines at Asian Games 2026

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 25: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended his congratulations to athlete Seema Kumari for clinching a bronze medal in the women's 10,000 meters at the Asian Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Seema, a native of Chamba district, finished the race with a time of 32:50.05, securing third place and marking a significant achievement for Indian athletics. This victory also ended a 16-year drought for India in the women's 10,000m event at the Asian Games.

CM Sukhu expressed that Seema's accomplishment is a source of great pride for Himachal Pradesh, praising her commitment, hard work, and determination.

He noted that her success showcases the athletic talent present in Himachal Pradesh and is likely to motivate young athletes throughout the state to chase their sporting dreams.

The Chief Minister emphasized the government's dedication to enhancing facilities, training programs, and creating a supportive environment for athletes to thrive in both national and international arenas. He assured that the government would continue to back talented sportspeople and provide necessary assistance to help them achieve their goals.

Seema maintained her position in medal contention until the final moments of the race, ultimately breaking away from her competitors to secure the bronze.

Winfred Yavi of Bahrain took home the gold medal with a time of 32:39.18, while Japan's Nozomi Tanaka earned silver, clocking in at 32:41.54.

The last time India earned a medal in the women's 10,000m at the Asian Games was in 2010, when Preeja Sreedharan and Kavita Raut achieved first and second place, respectively.

Born on January 10, 2001, Seema has represented India in numerous prestigious international events, establishing herself as a reliable competitor on both national and global stages.

On Day 6 of the Games, India also celebrated multiple victories, including bronze medals for Manush Shah and Diya Chitale in mixed doubles table tennis, and gold for shooters Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil, and Niraj Kumar secured silver in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions team event.

India's kabaddi teams progressed to the finals, while Joshana Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar added another medal in squash mixed doubles. The women's hockey team triumphed over Japan with a score of 3-1.

As of now, India's medal tally stands at 20, which includes two gold, eight silver, and ten bronze medals, placing the nation 12th in the overall standings.