India narrowly missed a podium finish in the women’s 4x100m relay at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, finishing fourth in a Season’s Best (SB) time of 43.57 seconds.

The Indian quartet of Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha Shanuvali Sathyanarayana, Sudeshna Hanmant Shivankar and Tamanna delivered a strong performance in the final.

They improved on their heat-winning time of 43.65 seconds. However, India finished just 0.05 seconds behind Japan, which secured the bronze medal.

China won gold in 42.96 seconds, while Thailand claimed silver in 43.51 seconds. Japan finished third in 43.52 seconds, followed by India in 43.57 seconds.

India Misses Bronze by Just 0.05 Seconds

The final was decided by extremely narrow margins.

Just 0.09 seconds separated the teams finishing second through fifth, with every hundredth of a second proving crucial over the 400-metre race.

India remained in contention for a medal before crossing the finish line in fourth place.

Women’s 4x100m Relay Final Results

Abinaya Rajarajan Leads India’s Sprint Relay Campaign

Abinaya Rajarajan was part of the Indian quartet that made a strong impression in the qualifying round.

India won its heat in 43.65 seconds, securing a place in the final.

Rajarajan has been an important part of India’s sprint relay setup. She had also featured in the mixed 4x100m relay earlier in the competition.

Her experience across both relay formats made her an important member of the Indian team.

Sneha Shanuvali Sathyanarayana Contributes to India’s Season’s Best

Sneha Shanuvali Sathyanarayana was another key member of India’s sprint group in Nagoya.

She was part of the quartet that produced the team’s Season’s Best in the final.

Relay success depends on individual speed and the execution of baton exchanges. India remained competitive throughout the race and stayed within striking distance of the medal positions.

Sudeshna Hanmant Shivankar Adds Experience

Sudeshna Hanmant Shivankar brought further experience to the Indian lineup.

She has been part of India’s sprint relay programme and featured in the quartet that improved its time from the heats.

With the final decided by such narrow margins, every phase of the race was crucial, from the starts and baton exchanges to the final straight.

Tamanna Completes the Indian Quartet

Tamanna completed the Indian quartet and was responsible for the final leg of the relay.

India crossed the finish line in 43.57 seconds, improving on its heat-winning performance.

The improvement showed that the team raised its performance in the final, although the time was not enough to secure a medal.

India Finishes Just Outside the Podium

India’s fourth-place finish came just five hundredths of a second behind Japan.

China’s winning time of 42.96 seconds was comfortably ahead of the rest of the field. However, the battle for the remaining medals was extremely close.

The Indian quartet improved from 43.65 seconds in the heats to 43.57 seconds in the final, producing its fastest performance of the season.

Although the medal remained out of reach, the team finished its Asian Games campaign with a Season’s Best and a competitive performance.

Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha Shanuvali Sathyanarayana, Sudeshna Hanmant Shivankar and Tamanna finished fourth in 43.57 seconds, just 0.05 seconds away from the podium.

India’s Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan finished seventh in the men’s 400m hurdles final at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, clocking 49.95 seconds.

The 28-year-old had earned his place in the final after finishing second in his heat in 49.61 seconds, securing automatic qualification.

However, Santhosh could not reproduce his qualifying performance in the final. He battled through the one-lap hurdles race to finish seventh in a strong field.

Bassem Hemeida Wins Gold in 400m Hurdles

Qatar’s Bassem Hemeida won the gold medal in 47.82 seconds.

Japan’s Taiju Goto claimed silver in 47.93 seconds, while Lin Chung-wei of Chinese Taipei completed the podium with bronze in 48.74 seconds.

Men’s 400m Hurdles Final Results

Santhosh Kumar’s Journey to the Asian Games Final

Santhosh’s journey to the final has been built on consistency across individual and relay events.

Born in Sukkudi, Tamil Nadu, he has represented the Indian Army and its elite sports wing. Over the years, he has developed into one of India’s established 400m hurdlers.

He first made his mark at the Asian level at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, finishing fifth in the 400m hurdles in 49.66 seconds.

In 2023, he reached the senior continental podium by winning bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok. He clocked 49.09 seconds in that race.

Contributions to India’s Relay Programme

Santhosh has also played an important role in India’s relay programme.

He represented India in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In addition, he was part of the Indian team that won gold in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Athletics Championships.

His experience across both individual and relay events has made him a valuable member of India’s quarter-mile squad.

Personal Best and 2026 Season

The 2026 season has been an important one for Santhosh.

In May, he produced a personal best of 49.06 seconds in the 400m hurdles, highlighting his continued progress.

He also holds a personal best of 46.02 seconds in the individual 400m, demonstrating his ability across both events.

Earlier this year, Santhosh finished joint first at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar with 49.14 seconds. The performance met the Asian Games qualification mark.

Seventh Place Ends Santhosh’s Individual Campaign

In Nagoya, the final was dominated by athletes who broke into the 47- and 48-second range.

Santhosh’s 49.95 seconds earned him seventh place, bringing his individual campaign to a close without a podium finish.

For an athlete who has progressed from junior international competition to the Asian and Olympic stages, the final adds another major international experience to his career.

Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan finishes seventh in the Asian Games 400m hurdles final, clocking 49.95 seconds.

Parul Chaudhary delivered an impressive performance at the Nagoya Asian Games, winning two bronze medals in two different events within 24 hours.

The Indian distance runner first claimed bronze in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, setting a national record of 9:08.67. The following day, she returned to the track and secured another bronze in the women’s 5000m, clocking 15:14.61.

Her double medal achievement required her to compete in two events with very different demands.

Parul Chaudhary Sets National Record in 3000m Steeplechase

Parul began her two-day campaign with a bronze medal in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.

She clocked 9:08.67, setting a new Indian national record while securing a place on the podium.

The event combines distance running with 35 barriers, including seven water jumps. It demands endurance, rhythm and the ability to negotiate obstacles throughout the race.

Parul’s performance made it one of the strongest races of her career.

Second Bronze in the Women’s 5000m

Just one day later, Parul returned to the track for the women’s 5000m final.

She remained in medal contention throughout the race before delivering another determined performance in the closing stages. Her time of 15:14.61 earned her a second bronze medal.

Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi won gold in 15:10.18, while Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka secured silver in 15:11.65.

Parul finished third, just 1.46 seconds behind Tanaka.

Unlike the steeplechase, the 5000m is a continuous track event covering 12½ laps. It requires sustained pace, tactical awareness and the ability to respond to changes in the race.

Two Events, Two Different Challenges

Parul’s double bronze highlights her ability to compete across different distance events.

In the steeplechase, she had to negotiate barriers and water jumps while maintaining her pace. The 5000m, meanwhile, demanded consistent speed and tactical racing over a longer uninterrupted distance.

Her experience in both disciplines helped her deliver two podium finishes in quick succession.

Parul has established herself as one of India’s leading distance runners, competing successfully in the 3000m steeplechase and longer track events.

Her Nagoya performances add two more major championship medals to her record.

Parul Chaudhary’s Asian Games Medal Summary

Two Bronzes in Two Days

Parul Chaudhary leaves Nagoya with two Asian Games bronze medals and a new national record.

Her achievement came through two demanding races held on consecutive days. She first reached the podium in the steeplechase before returning the next day to claim another bronze in the 5000m.

Two races, two days, two medals — and a national record along the way.

India’s distance-running star Gulveer Singh delivered a remarkable performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, winning two silver medals in just three days.

Gulveer first claimed silver in the men’s 10,000m, clocking 28:29.38. Three days later, he returned to the track and secured another silver in the men’s 1500m, setting a personal best of 3:36.72.

The two medals highlighted his versatility across middle- and long-distance running.

Gulveer Singh Wins Silver in 1500m With Personal Best

Gulveer produced another strong performance in the men’s 1500m final. He stayed with the leading group through a tactical race before making his move in the closing stages.

He crossed the finish line in 3:36.72, recording a new personal best and securing silver.

Japan’s Kazuto Iizawa won gold in 3:36.35, setting a new Asian Games record. His compatriot Nagiya Mori claimed bronze in 3:37.92.

Gulveer’s performance was particularly notable because it came just three days after his 10,000m medal.

From 10,000m Silver to Another Podium Finish

Gulveer opened his Asian Games campaign with silver in the men’s 10,000m. He clocked 28:29.38 to secure his first medal in Nagoya.

The 10,000m demands sustained pace and endurance over 25 laps. In contrast, the 1500m requires tactical positioning, acceleration and a strong finishing kick.

Gulveer successfully handled both challenges. He returned to competition after the longer race and produced the fastest 1500m time of his career.

Gulveer Singh’s Rise in Indian Distance Running

Gulveer has steadily established himself as one of India’s leading distance runners.

His performances across multiple events have highlighted his range and progress on the international circuit. At the Nagoya Asian Games, he took that progression further by winning medals in two contrasting disciplines.

Competing in both events within three days also required careful recovery and preparation. His second silver, combined with a personal best, added further significance to his campaign.

Gulveer Singh’s Asian Games 2026 Medal Tally

Two silver medals. Two different events. Three days.

Gulveer Singh’s campaign in Nagoya showcased his endurance, speed and ability to perform repeatedly at the highest level of Asian athletics.

Shoe Standard Violation Strips

Toxanbayeva

of Victory

• Gold: China’s Danzengquzong was elevated to the top spot, winning gold with a personal best time of 3:26:09.
• Silver: Teammate Ma Li ascended to claim silver in 3:32:26, securing a historic 1-2 finish for China.
• Bronze: Japan’s Yukiko Umeno, who originally finished outside the medals, moved up to capture bronze in 3:34:59.
• Fourth: Japan’s Maika Yagi took fourth place with a time of 3:36:40.
• Fifth: India’s Manju Rani was officially elevated into fifth place with a time of 3:40:17.

India’s Tough Day on the Road

There was little doubt about the billing before the women’s 400m final at the Asian Games in Nagoya. Salwa Eid Naser was the star of the field. By the time she crossed the finish line, the Bahraini had made the statement the event demanded.

Naser won the women’s 400m gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in a Games-record 49.20 seconds, finishing more than three seconds ahead of Iran’s Zahra Zarei Manoujan, who took silver in 52.38. India’s Prachi Choudhary ran a personal milestone race for bronze in 53.21, while Kiran Pahal finished fifth in 53.41.

The Nagoya gold was Naser’s second Asian Games 400m title. She had first won the event in Jakarta in 2018, when she set the previous Games record of 50.09. She had finished with silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. In Nagoya, she took back the title and then some, lowering her own Games record by almost a full second.

And 49.20 seconds, particularly on a rain-soaked evening in Nagoya, was a reminder that the name Salwa Eid Naser belongs among the biggest names in the modern 400m.

But who exactly is Salwa Eid Naser?

From Nigeria to Bahrain

Naser was born on May 23, 1998, in Onitsha, Nigeria, to a Bahraini father and Nigerian mother. She moved to Bahrain at the age of 14 and began building the career that would eventually make her one of the most recognisable 400m runners in the world.

Her talent appeared early.

According to World Athletics, Naser was already beating children in street races as a youngster and won her first competitive race at the age of 11. The 400m, however, was not immediately love at first lap. She raced the distance as a child, found it painful and decided she never wanted to run it again.

Thankfully for Bahrain — and for the 400m — she changed her mind.

In 2014, she won the 200m and 400m at the Arab Junior Championships and then won silver in the 400m at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, running 52.74 seconds. A year later came the first major international warning of what was coming: Naser won the 400m at the World Youth Championships in Cali in 51.50.

She was still a teenager.

And she was already running like an athlete in a hurry.

The making of a 400m star

Naser’s progression was remarkably quick.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, still an under-20 athlete, she ran a national U20 record of 50.88 in the semi-finals. A year later, at the World Championships in London, she won silver in 50.06, becoming the youngest woman to win a World Championships medal in the 400m.

Then came 2018.

This was the season when Naser stopped looking like an exciting young prospect and started looking like a global force.

She won 10 of her 11 400m races that year. At the Diamond League meeting in Monaco, she ran 49.08 seconds — at the time an Asian record. She followed that with Asian Games gold in Jakarta, a Diamond League final victory and a Continental Cup title.

The Jakarta Asian Games were particularly revealing. Naser won the 400m title and set a Games record of 50.09.

Seven years later, in Nagoya, she would return to the same event and run 49.20.

The numbers tell part of the story. They do not tell all of it.

48.14 seconds: the race that changed everything

If 2018 established Naser as a major force, 2019 put her into the history books.

At the World Championships in Doha, she ran 48.14 seconds to win the 400m world title.

It was not merely a championship-winning performance. It was an Asian record and remains her personal best. World Athletics lists 48.14 as Naser’s lifetime best, recorded on October 3, 2019.

At the time, the performance was the third-fastest women’s 400m ever recorded.

Naser had gone from a promising teenager to world champion in a matter of years.She was also becoming one of the most formidable one-lap runners in the sport.

Naser’s ability to attack the race and still produce extraordinary speed late became one of her defining qualities.Her 2019 season ended with a world title, a 48.14 Asian record and another Diamond League final victory.

Then came one of the most difficult chapters of her career.

The suspension that interrupted her career

In 2020, the Athletics Integrity Unit charged Naser with anti-doping whereabouts violations based on four alleged failures. An independent World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal initially dismissed the charges, determining that an anti-doping rule violation had not been established to its required standard.

World Athletics appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In 2021, CAS upheld the appeal and imposed a two-year period of ineligibility for whereabouts violations. The CAS ruling found three whereabouts failures; one alleged missed test was not upheld. Her results from November 25, 2019 until the notification of the award were also disqualified under the ruling.

The distinction matters.

The case concerned a breach of the anti-doping whereabouts rules. As the CAS decision made clear, the proceeding was about whether the rules had been breached and what sanction followed; it was not a determination that Naser had tested positive for a prohibited substance. The suspension kept her out of the Tokyo Olympics.

For an athlete who had been world champion less than two years earlier, it was a huge interruption. The question was no longer how fast Salwa Eid Naser could run. It was whether she could come back.

Naser returned to international competition and gradually rebuilt the form that had made her world champion. In 2023, she was back below 50 seconds, running 49.95 in Paris. The following year brought the Olympic stage she had missed in Tokyo. It was Naser’s Olympic debut.

In the women’s 400m final at the Stade de France, she ran 48.53 seconds to win silver behind the Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, who set an Olympic record of 48.17. Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek took bronze in 48.98.

For Naser, the silver carried an obvious complexity. She had an Olympic medal at last, but she had narrowly missed the gold.

If Paris confirmed the comeback, 2025 confirmed that the comeback was not simply about getting back to the starting line. Naser produced a string of world-class performances during the 2025 season. She ran 48.67 in Kingston, 49.83 in Doha, 48.85 in Paris and 48.70 in Zurich.

Those numbers are important because they place Nagoya in context.

The 49.20 she ran at the Asian Games was not an isolated flash.

It was another performance from an athlete who has spent years living at the sharp end of the women’s 400m.

World Athletics currently lists Naser as the world No. 4-ranked woman in the 400m, with one world title, an Olympic silver medal and three Diamond League Final victories on her résumé.

More than a 400m runner

There is also another side to Naser’s public identity.

Her fashion, appearance and personality have been part of her public profile from the beginning of her rise. In 2019, the Olympic Channel featured Naser in a podcast titled Salwa Eid Naser: Making Statements on the Track and in Fashion.

That is perhaps fitting. Naser has always looked like an athlete comfortable with making a statement.

What makes Salwa Eid Naser significant?

Start with the timeline.

World Youth champion at 17.

World Championships silver medallist at 19.

Asian Games champion at 20.

Asian record-holder at 21.

World champion at 21.

Then a suspension and a forced absence from the Olympic Games.

Then a return.

Then Olympic silver.

And now another Asian Games gold — this time in a Games-record 49.20.

n the rain in Nagoya, Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser delivered exactly the performance expected of the star of the women’s 400m. She pulled clear of the field to win the Asian Games title, lowering the Games record she had set in Jakarta in 2018. India’s Prachi Choudhary took bronze in 53.21, while Kiran Pahal finished fifth in 53.41.

For Naser, 49.20 was not simply another championship victory. It added a second Asian Games 400m title to a career that already includes a world championship gold, an Olympic silver medal and an Asian record of 48.14. It also provided another marker in a career that has taken several turns since she emerged as one of the sport’s most promising young 400m runners.