30 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India’s women’s 4x400m relay team of Kiran Pahal, M R Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary and Vithya Ramraj won the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, completing the race in 3:29.69.
The victory marked India’s return to the top of the women’s 4x400m relay podium after China won the event at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou. It was also India’s only athletics gold at the Games so far.
A Gold Built on Four Different Journeys
The achievement was particularly significant because each member of the quartet arrived at the Asian Games with a very different story.
Kiran Pahal had to overcome opposition to her decision to pursue athletics. Her father reportedly faced resistance from their village in Sonipat when she chose to follow her sporting ambitions.
Prachi Choudhary, the daughter of a farmer from Saharanpur, has been motivated by her ambition to join the Uttar Pradesh Police as a DSP. Before travelling to Nagoya, she reportedly submitted her measurements for the police uniform, hoping her sporting success would help her fulfil that dream.
M R Poovamma, one of India’s most experienced relay runners, made a comeback after a doping ban and a difficult period of depression. She credited her husband and mother for helping her rebuild her career.
Vithya Ramraj, the daughter of an autorickshaw driver, entered the relay after already making history at the Games by breaking PT Usha’s long-standing national record in the 400m hurdles.
Poovamma Brings Experience to the Race
Kiran got India off to a relatively slow start and handed over the baton in third position.
Poovamma then began closing the gap. The 36-year-old, who had previously won Asian Games relay gold in 2014 and 2018, used her experience to move India firmly into medal contention.
Her comeback made the moment especially meaningful after the personal difficulties she had faced during the period away from competition.
Prachi Keeps India in Front
Prachi took the baton with India in front and maintained the advantage.
For her, the race represented another step towards a long-held ambition of joining the UP Police. Her determination to win gold was also shaped by her previous experience of winning silver.
She held her position and handed the baton to Vithya with India firmly in contention for the title.
Vithya Holds Off Bahrain Challenge
The final leg produced the biggest test.
Vithya started the final lap with the lead, but Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Nasser began closing the gap rapidly after receiving the baton in last place.
As the rain continued to fall on the track, the pressure increased. Vithya resisted the challenge and maintained enough of an advantage to bring India across the finish line first in 3:29.69.
Bahrain finished second, while China took bronze.
India Reclaims Relay Crown
The victory restored India’s dominance in the women’s 4x400m relay at the Asian Games.
It was India’s seventh gold medal in the event, adding another chapter to the country’s long record in the relay.
The gold also came during a highly productive day for India’s contingent, with shooter Neeru Dhanda winning gold in women’s trap and Indian athletes collecting several other medals.
More Than One Race
The relay victory represented more than a medal for the four athletes.
Poovamma’s comeback, Kiran’s fight to pursue athletics, Prachi’s ambitions beyond the track and Vithya’s breakthrough performances all converged in one final race.
Their individual journeys ultimately combined into a single team achievement — an Asian Games gold medal for India.