Nagoya, September 28 (Daily Kiran) : Vithya Ramraj made headlines on September 28, 2026, at the Asian Games in Nagoya, where she clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 400 meters hurdles. With a remarkable time of 54.75 seconds, she shattered the long-standing national record set by legendary Indian athlete PT Usha 42 years ago.
In a heartfelt moment, Vithya dedicated her medal to her twin sister, expressing gratitude towards the government and organizations that supported her journey. She highlighted the unwavering support from her father, who faced societal pressures and financial struggles to help his daughters succeed.
After her victory, Vithya shared, “I dedicate this medal to my twin sister, as she has always been by my side. Whenever I need something, she is there for me. I am so happy.”
She acknowledged the assistance she received from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), her state government, JSW, and Indian Railways, where she is employed. “TOPS has been incredibly supportive, and so has my state government. I work with Indian Railways, which has allowed me to be here today, and I am very grateful,” she said.
Vithya’s success comes after years of struggle for her family. She recounted the challenges they faced, living in a rented home while her father, a driver, earned a meager income of around 15,000 rupees a month. Despite financial hardships, he remained committed to supporting his daughters’ aspirations.
“My father is a driver. He earned about 15,000 rupees, which meant we didn’t have much. Even in 2009, shoes would cost between 2,000 to 5,000 rupees. Yet, he spent money on us. When my twin sister and I played sports together, it required significant expenses for clothing, shoes, and equipment, but he managed it all. That’s why we are here today,” Vithya explained.
The 28-year-old athlete credited her coach for her achievement, noting that he believed she could break the 55-second barrier, a feat she initially doubted. “I didn’t believe it myself; only my coach had faith. I trust him completely, and I follow his guidance. I’ve been doing what he tells me for years, and it worked,” she said.
Vithya previously won a bronze medal in the same event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and expressed her satisfaction with the Nagoya track. “This track is fantastic. I’ve seen synthetic and mondo tracks, but this one feels different. I think it’s a speed track, and I’m really happy with it,” she remarked.
With this bronze medal, Vithya has now secured her second consecutive Asian Games medal in this event, having also won silver in the mixed 4×400 meters relay earlier in the competition.
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