India’s women’s 4x400m relay team won gold at the Asian Games 2026 on September 29.
The team of Kiran Pahal, Poovamma Machettira, Prachi Choudhary and Vithya Ramraj clocked 3:29.69.
Bahrain, featuring Olympic medallist Salwa Eid Naser, took silver.
It is India’s first athletics gold of these Games, and sixth relay title in the event since 1998.
The win came on Day 10, alongside Neeru Dhanda’s shooting gold and two boxing finalists.
India’s overall medal tally at the Games rose to 53 following Day 10’s results.
Day 10 also saw Gulveer Singh complete a hat-trick of medals in distance running events.
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
India’s relay squads have traditionally been among the country’s stronger track and field medal contenders at multi-sport Games.
The women’s 4x400m relay requires each of four runners to cover one lap of the track before handing off a baton.
India’s athletics contingent at these Games has featured a mix of experienced internationals and emerging talent.
Bahrain has fielded several naturalised athletes with strong individual international records in recent major athletics events.
Track and field events make up a significant share of the total medals on offer at any Asian Games edition.
India’s athletics federation has focused on strengthening relay training and baton-changing technique in recent years.
India’s women’s 4x400m relay team won gold at the Asian Games 2026 on September 29.
The team of Kiran Pahal, Poovamma Machettira, Prachi Choudhary and Vithya Ramraj clocked 3:29.69.
The race was held at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
India beat Bahrain, whose team included Olympic medallist Salwa Eid Naser, to the gold medal.
Bahrain took silver in 3:30.21.
The winning time did not surpass India’s national record of 3:26.89, set at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
4x400m relay race (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
