Vithya Ramraj Breaks PT Usha’s 42-Year-Old Record, Wins Asian Games Bronze

Indian hurdler Vithya Ramraj scripted a landmark moment in Indian athletics on Monday, winning the bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Asian Games 2026 while breaking PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record.

Ramraj clocked a personal-best 54.75 seconds in the final, improving Usha’s national mark of 55.42 seconds, set at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The Athletics Federation of India records Usha’s 55.42-second performance as the national record that stood for more than four decades.

Ramraj Finally Moves Past Usha’s Mark

Ramraj had previously equalled Usha’s record in 2023. This time, she went past it by 0.67 seconds, becoming the new Indian record-holder in the event.

The 28-year-old cleared all 10 hurdles in the final to secure her place on the podium in Aichi-Nagoya.

UAE’s Mariam Kareem won gold in a Games-record 54.31 seconds, while Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems took silver in 54.58 seconds. Ramraj completed the podium with her 54.75-second effort.

Anu Raghavan Finishes Fifth

India’s other finalist, Anu Raghavan, also produced a personal best, clocking 55.88 seconds to finish fifth.

Ramraj’s bronze adds another Asian Games medal to her record in the event. Her latest performance, however, carries an additional distinction: the national record she had chased since 2023 has now finally been rewritten.

The new mark also ends the longest chapter of Usha’s record in the women’s 400m hurdles, with Ramraj becoming the first Indian to officially dip below 55.42 seconds in the event.