Asian Games – 2026

Aichi-Nagoya: India finally ended its wait for an athletics gold medal as the women’s 4×400 mts relay quartet of Kiran Pahal, Machettira Poovamma, Prachi and Vithya Ramaraj produced a composed run to clinch the gold at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 at Aichi-Nagoya in Japan.

The Indian team clocked 3:29.69 in the final to finish first, with Bahrain taking silver in 3:30.21 and China claiming bronze in 3:31.02. The victory was India’s first athletics gold of the Games and came after the country had collected a string of silver and bronze medals in track and field.

The quartet held its composure in a closely contested race, with Bahrain and China staying in contention before India pulled clear in closing stages. The victory underlined the depth of India’s women’s quarter-mile programme.

Poovamma of Kodagu brought considerable experience to the quartet, while Kiran, Prachi and Vithya combined to maintain the pressure through the four legs. Poovamma and Vithya had earlier been part of India’s mixed 4×400 mts relay silver-medal winning team, making yesterday’s gold another significant achievement for the two runners.

The women’s 4×400 mts relay triumph finally put India atop an athletics podium at Aichi-Nagoya and provided a fitting highlight to a day of multiple track and field medals.