New Delhi, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : Kiran Pehal was a key member of the Indian women’s 4×400 meter relay team that clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in New Delhi on September 29. She dedicated her victory to her family, the Athletics Federation, and the government.
Pehal, along with teammates MR Poovamma, Vithya, and Prachi, completed the race in 3:29.69 seconds, securing first place. Bahrain followed closely in second with a time of 3:30.21 seconds, while China took third at 3:31.02 seconds.
After the race, Kiran expressed her determination, stating, “We decided from yesterday that we only wanted to win gold. That’s all that was on our minds. I was given the baton first, which added pressure on me. I aimed to perform well, and I did. I gave my 100 percent, but the team collectively made it 200 percent.”
Despite continuous rain making the track slippery during the final, Kiran faced no significant issues. She credited the preparations made by the Athletics Federation of India, which included training camps in Poland, where they adapted to rainy conditions. “We didn’t face much difficulty because we had been accustomed to training in the rain,” she noted.
As the youngest among her siblings, Kiran received strong support from her family. Hailing from Gummad village in Sonipat district, Haryana, she shared, “I have my mother, older brother, and sister. My family has been very supportive. I owe a lot to the Athletics Federation of India, without which I wouldn’t be here today. I also want to thank the government.”
Kiran dedicated her medal to her family, the Federation, and the government, saying, “I dedicate this medal to my family and my father, who dreamed of me winning an international gold medal. He must be very proud today. I take great pride in this achievement, and the entire country is proud too. We receive excellent facilities at our camps and have numerous competitions to showcase our best. Financial support is crucial, and we are also strengthened mentally.”
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