Background
Vithya Ramraj was born on 20 September 1998 and hails from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. She developed as a sprinter and hurdler through the Indian athletics system, eventually establishing herself in both the 400m and 400m hurdles. Her progression brought her to the national stage before she began competing at major international championships.
Breakthrough and records
Her breakthrough came at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she ran 55.42 seconds in the 400m hurdles — equalling P.T. Usha’s 39-year-old national record and winning bronze. She also holds the national record of 55.42 seconds, set at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023. The performance made her the first Indian woman since Usha to match the national benchmark and established her as one of the country’s leading 400m hurdlers.
Current Season
The 2026 season has included strong performances in both individual and relay events. Ramraj recorded a 400m personal best of 51.96 seconds in August and later helped India win mixed 4x400m relay silver at the Asian Games in September.
The 55.42: Equalling P.T. Usha's Record After 39 Years
Vithya Ramraj's defining performance came at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on 2 October 2023. She clocked 55.42 seconds in the women's 400m hurdles, equalling the Indian national record set by P.T. Usha at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Usha's mark had stood for 39 years.
In Her Own Words
“I will break PT Usha's record at the Asian Games.” — Vithya Ramraj, speaking to NNIS Sports, May 2023, after clocking 52.40s in the 400m on Day 1 of IGP 5. The following day, she ran 55.43s in the 400m hurdles, finishing just 0.01s short of PT Usha’s 55.42s mark.
Asian Games 2026
At the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Ramraj anchored India's mixed 4x400m relay team to silver in 3:14.46 on 24 September. India finished behind Bahrain, which won gold in a Games-record 3:12.87, and ahead of Vietnam, which took bronze in 3:14.54.
