India bag silver in mixed 4x400m relay after Vithya's stunning finish

Asian Games: India won the silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay, with the quartet of Poovamma Raju, Vishal Thennarasu, Vithya Ramraj and Manu TS clocking 3:14.46 in the final.India's Vishal TK, Poovamma, Manu and Vithya Ramraj win silver in mixed 4x400m relay final. (AFP Photo)New Delhi,Sep 24, 2026 19:52 ISTIndia seemed destined for bronze until Vithya Ramraj changed the script with a brilliant final leg, powering the mixed 4x400m relay quartet to silver at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Thursday.Vithya's late surge helped India finish second in 3:14.46, behind Bahrain, and successfully defend the silver medal they won at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The medal also took India's overall tally at the Games to 17.Asian Games 2026: September 24 updatesThe quartet of Poovamma Raju, Vishal Thennarasu, Manu TS and Vithya produced a composed effort, but it was the final 400 metres that ultimately decided India's place on the podium. VITHYA'S STUNNING FINAL LEGVishal started the race for India but could not make much ground early on. Poovamma then took over and found India in danger of slipping out of the medal positions. She responded with a strong burst in the final 50 metres to bring the team back into contention before handing the baton to Manu in third.Manu kept India firmly in the race before handing over to Vithya. By then, India appeared to be heading for bronze. Vithya, however, had other plans. The Indian anchor timed her surge perfectly in the closing stages, steadily closing the gap before powering past Vietnam to move India into second. She held on to secure another silver for India.Bahrain had already established a clear lead, with Salwa Eid Nasser anchoring the team to gold in a Games-record 3:12.87. Vietnam finished third in 3:14.54. For India, the result meant another silver in the mixed 4x400m relay after the team had finished second in Hangzhou three years ago.The relay silver came on a memorable evening for Indian athletics, with Seema Kumari also winning bronze in the women's 10,000m final. Seema clocked 32:50.05 to end India's 16-year wait for a medal in the event at the Asian Games. It was only the third medal India have won in the women's 10,000m at the continental Games.WHO IS VITHYA RAMRAJ?Vithya's stunning final leg was the latest highlight in a career that has already taken her to the biggest stages of international athletics. The Tamil Nadu athlete is an accomplished quarter-miler and 400m hurdler who has become an important member of India's relay programme.She made her breakthrough at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she equalled the Indian national record in the 400m hurdles with a time of 55.42 seconds. Vithya also represented India at the Paris 2024 Olympics as part of the 4x400m relay team.On Thursday, though, she saved her best for the final 400 metres. With India seemingly heading for bronze, Vithya picked her moment, produced a powerful surge and carried the team past Vietnam. The silver was secured. Two athletics medals in one evening took India's overall medal tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to 17.- Ends