Asian Games 2026: India wins first athletics gold with top podium finish in women 4x400m relay
The Indian women's 4x400m relay team secured the country's first athletics gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya. Several other Indian athletes also earned podium finishes in various track and field events.
Why it matters
Success at the Asian Games is a major indicator of a nation's sporting development and international standing in athletics.
The Indian quartet of Kiran Pahal, Poovamma Machettira, Prachi, and Vithya Ramraj produced an exceptional performance to claim the gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).
The Indian team won the top prize with a time of 3:29.69 minutes, giving the country its first gold medal in track and field events at the ongoing games. Bahrain and China finished second and third respectively.
Earlier, Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Sneha Sathyanarayana and Harita Bhadra won the bronze medal in the 4x100m mixed relay final after clocking a season best time of 41.06 seconds.
India's Pooja Singh fared well below her personal best with a leap of 1.84 metres, but that was enough to clinch a bronze medal in women's high jump.
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