"They Had Faith In Me, So I Gave My 100%": Vithya Ramraj After India’s Mixed Relay Silver At Asian Games

New Delhi, Sep 25: India produced a determined performance to win the silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, with the quartet of Manu TS, MR Poovamma, Vishal TK and Vithya Ramraj clocking 3:14.46 at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Thursday.

Bahrain claimed the gold medal with a Games Record, but India held on to silver after a race filled with changes in momentum, pressure and a strong finish.

Manu TS opened the race for India and ensured that the team remained within touching distance of the leaders. For the young Indian runner, competing in his maiden Asian Games, the priority was simple: get the baton to Poovamma as quickly as possible.

"I tried my best. I gave my best for the team and I'm very lucky to help this team. And it's my first Asian Games, and I did well," Manu told myKhel after the race.

Speaking about her approach during the opening leg, Manu said, "I was only thinking about how quickly I could hand over the baton to Poovamma. That was the only thing on my mind."

MR Poovamma then brought her experience into play during the second leg, keeping India firmly in the medal race before Vishal TK took over.

Vishal produced a strong third leg, fighting his way back and putting India in a strong position heading into the final exchange.

With the medal within reach, Vithya Ramraj took the baton for the final 400 metres.

Vithya, who had already won three medals at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou- silver in the women's 4x400m relay, silver in the mixed 4x400m relay and bronze in the 400m hurdles was entrusted with the responsibility of bringing India home.

She responded with a powerful final leg and helped India secure the silver medal.

For Vithya, the opportunity was particularly meaningful after she was left out of the heats. However, the team's management showed faith in her by selecting her for the final, and she repaid that trust with a committed performance.

"I didn't run in the heats, but the management had faith in me and gave me a chance to run in the finals. So, I gave my 100% because they give us lots of support," Vithya told myKhel.

There was also an emotional element to her performance.

Vithya revealed that her coach was not with her at the previous Asian Games, but this time he was right there supporting her from the front.

"At the last Asian Games, my coach was not with me, but he is here with me at this Asian Games. When I was running today, he was right in front of me, cheering me on. His support gave me a lot of confidence this time." she said.

The silver also kept alive a personal target Vithya had set for herself after Hangzhou.

"I won three medals at the last Asian Games, but this time I want to change the colour," Vithya had said.

While the quartet in the final delivered the podium finish, India's success was not limited to those four athletes.

Kiran Pahal and Jay Kumar, who competed in the heats earlier in the day and helped India book its place in the final, are also recognised as silver medallists under World Athletics rules.

The medal, therefore, belonged to all six athletes who contributed to India's mixed 4x400m relay campaign.

From Manu's opening burst and Poovamma's experience to Vishal's fightback and Vithya's finishing speed, India stayed together throughout the race.

Four runners crossed the finish line in the final, but the silver medal was the result of a collective team effort.