Indian athlete Vithya Ramraj created history at the Asian Games 2026 by breaking legendary sprinter PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record in the women’s 400m hurdles. Ramraj clocked a personal best of 54.75 seconds to win the bronze medal and rewrite the Indian record books.
The 27-year-old hurdler improved on PT Usha’s long-standing national record of 55.42 seconds, which Usha had set at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Ramraj lowered the mark by 0.67 seconds in a memorable final in Aichi-Nagoya.
Vithya Ramraj Makes History in 400m Hurdles
Ramraj stayed in medal contention throughout the final and eventually finished third with her 54.75-second effort. Mariam Kareem of the United Arab Emirates won gold in a Games-record 54.31 seconds, while Adelina Zems of Kazakhstan took silver with 54.58 seconds.
The achievement was particularly significant because Ramraj had previously matched PT Usha’s record at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where she also won a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles. Three years later, she finally moved past the historic mark and became the outright Indian national record holder in the event.
From Equaling PT Usha’s Record to Breaking It
When Ramraj clocked 55.42 seconds in 2023, she equaled the record that Usha had held since the 1984 Olympics. At that time, the mark was already 39 years old.
Her latest performance in Nagoya has now brought that record era to an end. With a new personal best of 54.75 seconds, Ramraj has set a new benchmark for Indian women’s 400m hurdles.
A Joyful Celebration After a Historic Run
After her record-breaking performance was officially confirmed, Ramraj celebrated the achievement with a spontaneous dance, adding a memorable personal touch to an already historic moment. She was also seen celebrating with the Indian national flag after securing the bronze medal.
The bronze was another major achievement for Ramraj at the 2026 Asian Games. Earlier in the competition, she was part of India’s silver-medal-winning mixed 4x400m relay team, where she ran the anchor leg.
Vithya Ramraj’s Growing Athletics Journey
Ramraj’s record-breaking performance adds another important chapter to her international career. She represented India at the Paris 2024 Olympics as part of the women’s 4x400m relay team and won bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea.
Her latest run in Nagoya not only delivered another Asian Games medal but also established her as the new Indian national record holder in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Vithya Ramraj’s 54.75-second performance will now stand alongside one of the most enduring records in Indian athletics – PT Usha’s 55.42-second mark from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
