The women’s 400m final at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 produced one of the most remarkable races in recent domestic athletics history, with five athletes surpassing the Asian Games qualification standard in a single final.
Leading the field was Prachi, who claimed the national title with a superb run of 53.24s. She held off a strong challenge from an exceptionally competitive field to secure the gold medal and emerge as the fastest athlete in the race.
Olympian Kiran Pahal finished second in 53.45s, continuing her consistent performances on the national circuit. Close behind her was Devyaniba Zala, who clocked 53.46s to claim the bronze medal after another impressive run.
The depth of the race became even more evident as Neeru Pathak crossed the finish line in 53.47s, just one hundredth of a second behind the bronze medallist, while Rashdeep Kaur completed the top five with 53.61s. All five athletes comfortably finished inside the Asian Games qualification standard, making the final one of the highest-quality women’s 400m races witnessed at the Interstate Championships.
The extraordinary standard of competition highlighted the rapid progress being made in Indian women’s quarter-mile running. Having five athletes achieve the qualification benchmark in a single race reflects the growing depth in the event and provides a significant boost for Indian athletics ahead of major international competitions.
Although all five athletes have successfully achieved the qualification standard, their performances do not automatically guarantee selection for the Asian Games. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Selection Committee will make the final decision on the composition of the Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games.
The Interstate Championships have once again demonstrated their importance as the country’s premier domestic athletics competition, and the women’s 400m final will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout events of the meet. With five athletes producing qualification-standard performances in the same race, Indian women’s sprinting has showcased unprecedented depth and competitiveness.