Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha on Thursday congratulated distance runner Seema Kumari and India’s mixed 4x400m relay team after their medal-winning performances at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Usha, who is in Nagoya to support the Indian contingent, shared photographs with the medal-winning athletes and praised their performances.
Congratulating Seema on her bronze medal in the women’s 10,000m, Usha said the achievement ended India’s 16-year wait for a medal in the event.
“Hearty congratulations to Seema Kumari on winning the bronze in the women’s 10,000m! Your achievement has ended the 16-year wait for this medal and opened doors for more such wins. Chase your dreams harder now and make the country proud!” Usha posted on X.
Seema clocked 32:50.05 to finish third behind Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, who won gold in 32:39.18, and Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka, who claimed silver in 32:41.54.
The Indian made a strong start and led the field through the opening 2,000 metres before slipping to fourth as the pace intensified. She moved back into third with 1,000 metres remaining and held on to secure the bronze.
Seema’s medal was India’s first in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games since the 2010 edition, when Preeja Sreedharan won gold and Kavita Raut claimed silver.
Usha also congratulated India’s mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Machettira Poovamma, Vishal Thennarasu, Vithya Ramraj and Thekkinalil Manu after they won silver.
“Congratulations to our 4X400m Mixed Relay team of Poovamma Raju, Vishal Thennarasu, Vithya Ramraj and Manu TS for clinching the silver medal! Seeing your victory in the event closest to my heart filled me with immense pride. Wishing you many more such wins in the future!” she said.
The Indian quartet clocked 3:14.46 to finish second behind Bahrain, which won gold in a Games-record 3:12.87. Vietnam finished third in 3:14.54, just 0.08 seconds behind India.
The result extended India’s medal run in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games. India won gold at Jakarta 2018 and silver at Hangzhou 2023 before securing another silver in Nagoya.
(IANS Inputs)
