Asian Games 2026: Vithya Ramraj Breaks PT Usha’s Record to Win 400m Hurdles Bronze

Vithya Ramraj of India won the bronze medal in women’s 400m hurdles event at the Asian Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya in an individual best time of 54.75 seconds. The achievement by Ramraj broke the Indian national record of 42 years held by PT Usha who had set a time of 55.42 seconds at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Mariam Kareem of UAE bagged the gold medal in an Asian Games record 54.31 seconds and Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems the silver medal in 54.58 seconds.

Vithya Ramraj Breaks PT Usha’s 42-Years Old Record

The most important thing about Vithya’s bronze medal was that it came with a new national record. She achieved the mark of 54.75 seconds, beating the previous mark of 55.42 seconds of PT Usha by 0.67 seconds.

PT Usha had set the record in 1984 during the Los Angeles Olympics. This record has been India’s national record in the women’s 400m hurdles for more than four decades. Vithya had beaten the 55.42 seconds record in the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games while winning the bronze medal in the event.

Thus, Vithya not only got a new national record but also added another bronze medal in 2026 Asian Games after her 2023 Asian Games win in the event.

Vithya Ramraj’s Second Medal at 2026 Asian Games

The 400m hurdles bronze was Vithya Ramraj’s second medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Earlier in the tournament, Vithya was one of the members of India’s silver-winning mixed 4x400m relay team. India recorded a time of 3:14.46 with Vithya running the anchor leg, beating Vietnam by 0.08 seconds to claim silver.

Vithya thus bagged medals in mixed 4x400m relay and 400m hurdles events in 2026 Asian Games.

400m Hurdles Record By PT Usha

P.T. Usha is one of the most recognizable Indian track and field athletes. The time she ran of 55.42 seconds during the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 is still the longest-held Indian national record in the 400m hurdles women’s event.

Usha came fourth in the 400m hurdles event at the Los Angeles Olympics but failed to win an Olympic medal. The record held strong for 42 years until Vithya broke it in Nagoya.

Another important aspect of the timing is that it took place when P.T. Usha was attending the Asian Games as the President of the Indian Olympic Association.