Himachal Pradesh long-distance runner clocks 32:50.05 in women’s 10,000m final to end India’s 16-year wait for a medal in the event
Aichi-Nagoya, September 2026 : Indian long-distance runner Seema Kumari won the bronze medal in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday, giving India its first athletics medal of the ongoing edition.
The 25-year-old clocked 32:50.05 in the final to finish third and secure a place on the podium. Her performance also ended India’s 16-year wait for a medal in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games.
Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi claimed the gold medal with a timing of 32:39.18, while Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka took silver after finishing in 32:41.54.
Yavi and Tanaka were involved in a closely contested battle for the top position during the final stages of the race. The Bahraini runner held her nerve to cross the finish line first, while Tanaka settled for silver.
Seema, meanwhile, maintained her pace and composure in the closing stages to stay ahead of the chasing runners. Her determined finish earned her the bronze and marked a significant achievement in her developing international career.
The medal was India’s first in the women’s 10,000m since the 2010 Asian Games. It also provided Indian athletics with its first podium finish at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Who is Seema Kumari?
Born on January 10, 2001, in Himachal Pradesh, Seema has emerged as a prominent Indian runner in the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Her rise has been built on consistent performances across both distances. In 2024, she won gold in the senior women’s race at the Asian Cross Country Championships in Hong Kong. The following year, she claimed silver in the 5,000m at the FISU World University Games.
Seema continued her progress in 2026, winning gold in the women’s 10,000m at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships.
She also registered personal bests in both the 5,000m and 10,000m this year. In March, she clocked 32:02.43 in the 10,000m at The TEN meet in California, finishing fifth in a strong international field. A month later, she recorded a personal best of 15:16.20 in the 5,000m.
Her Asian Games bronze now adds another major achievement to her growing record and further establishes her presence on the international long-distance running circuit.
Athletics has traditionally been a significant contributor to India’s medal tally at the Asian Games. At the previous edition in Hangzhou, Indian athletes won 29 medals in athletics, including six gold. Seema’s bronze provides the country with its first athletics podium finish at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
