4x400m women’s relay gives India first athletics gold at Asian Games

Vithya Ramraj

Indian athletes continued their medal-winning run in track and field at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with the team of Kiran Pahal, Poovamma Machettira, Prachi, Vithya Ramraj winning gold in the women's 4x400m relay on Tuesday.The Indian quartet clocked 3:29.69 to finish first in the event.

Kiran had a slow start and handed over the baton in third place. Poovamma then made up ground to move India into the lead before Prachi ensured that Vithya received the baton in a similar position.Vithya then produced a strong final leg to hold on to the lead. Bahrain's Salwa Eid Nasser, who received the baton in last place, chased down the runners ahead of her and closed the gap on Vithya, but the Indian held her ground to secure the gold for India. Bahrain and China finished second and third respectively.Vithya, who broke PT Usha's 400m hurdles record just a day earlier, won her third medal of the Games with the relay gold. Women's 400m final - Results

• India: 3:29.69
• Bahrain: 3:30.21 (+0.52)
• People’s Republic of China: 3:31.02 (+1.33)