Vithya Ramraj Shatters PT Usha's Record with Bronze at Asian Games 2026

Vithya Ramraj's Historic Achievement

Indian athlete Vithya Ramraj expressed her overwhelming joy after securing a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026, while also breaking the long-standing national record set by the legendary PT Usha. Ramraj was astonished to finish the race in under 56 seconds and eagerly anticipated celebrating with her mother's cooking upon returning home.

Bronze Medal in Women's 400m Hurdles

On Monday, Ramraj achieved a personal best of 54.75 seconds in the women's 400m hurdles, clinching the bronze medal and surpassing a national record that had been in place since 1984.

'Never Thought I Would Go Below 56 Seconds'

"I'm incredibly happy and at a loss for words. I never imagined I would break the 56-second barrier. When the results were announced, I was overwhelmed with joy. I can't wait to go home and enjoy my mom's cooking," Ramraj shared in an interview after her remarkable performance.

Historic Record Broken

Ramraj successfully cleared all ten hurdles, finishing third in the final with a record-breaking performance in Aichi-Nagoya. She shattered the previous national record of 55.42 seconds, which was set by PT Usha during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Earlier this year, Vithya had matched that record.

Medal Standings

Mariam Kareem from the UAE took home the gold medal with a Games record time of 54.31 seconds, while Kazakhstan's Adelina Zems secured the silver with a time of 54.58 seconds. Vithya's impressive 54.75-second finish not only earned her the bronze but also marked a significant milestone as she became the first Indian woman to break the 55.42-second barrier in the 400m hurdles.

A 42-Year Legacy

This achievement comes 42 years after Usha set the previous record, with Vithya now holding the top position in the Indian record books for this event.