Bahrain sets Games record for gold as India edge Vietnam by 0.08 seconds; relay squad extends podium streak to three successive editions
Nagoya, September 2026 : India secured the silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, clocking 3:14.46 in a closely contested final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
The Indian quartet of Machettira Poovamma, Vishal Thennarasu, Ramraj Vithya and Thekkinalil Manu finished second behind Bahrain, which won gold in a Games-record time of 3:12.87.
Vietnam came agonisingly close to taking silver, finishing in 3:14.54 — just 0.08 seconds behind India. Japan finished fourth in 3:15.52.
Key pointers
- India’s timing: 3:14.46 for silver.
- Gold for Bahrain: 3:12.87, a new Asian Games record.
- Vietnam: Finished third in 3:14.54, only 0.08 seconds behind India.
- Japan: Finished fourth in 3:15.52.
- India’s relay record: Three successive Asian Games medals — gold in 2018, silver in 2023 and silver in 2026.
The narrow margin over Vietnam made the closing stages particularly tense, but India’s quartet maintained its composure to secure a second-place finish.
The result extended India’s impressive record in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games. India won the inaugural mixed relay gold at the 2018 Jakarta Games before claiming silver at Hangzhou in 2023. Thursday’s result means the country has now reached the podium in the event at three consecutive editions.
Vishal continues breakthrough season
For Vishal Thennarasu, the silver medal adds to a breakthrough period in his career.
The Tamil Nadu sprinter became the first Indian athlete to run the men’s 400m in under 45 seconds when he clocked 44.98 at the 2026 National Federation Senior Athletics Championships in Ranchi. The performance also established a new national record.
Vishal had earlier enjoyed success at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, where he won gold in the mixed 4x400m relay and silver in the men’s 4x400m relay. He also finished fourth in the individual 400m.
Vithya brings Olympic experience
Ramraj Vithya has also been an important part of India’s relay programme. She represented the country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including in the 4x400m relay.
Vithya won silver in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2022 Asian Games and later secured bronze in the 400m hurdles at the 2023 Asian Games.
Poovamma adds experience
Machettira Poovamma brought extensive international experience to the Indian quartet. The Arjuna Award recipient has been a key member of India’s relay teams for more than a decade.
She was part of India’s gold-medal-winning women’s 4x400m relay teams at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and the 2018 edition in Jakarta. Poovamma also featured in India’s gold-medal-winning mixed 4x400m relay team at Jakarta 2018.
Manu adds emerging talent
Thekkinalil Manu, an emerging quarter-miler, also has international success in the mixed relay. Manu won gold in the event at the 2022 Asian U20 Athletics Championships.
With a combination of experience and emerging talent, India’s quartet held on under pressure in Nagoya to claim silver and maintain the country’s medal-winning run in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games.
