Aichi-Nagoya: India will have two representatives in the women’s 400m final at the Asian Games. Kiran Pahal and Prachi qualified after strong performances in their respective semifinals on Friday.

Pahal finished second in Heat 2 with a time of 53.44 seconds. Meanwhile, Prachi clocked 53.46 seconds to finish third in Heat 3.

Prachi secured her place in the final as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers. As a result, both Indians will compete in Saturday’s medal race.

Kiran Pahal Secures Automatic Qualification

Pahal’s individual 400m campaign follows an important contribution to India’s mixed 4x400m relay team.

She ran in the crucial qualifying heat that helped India secure a place in the mixed relay final. This added another demanding race to her Asian Games schedule.

The Haryana international has been one of India’s established 400m runners in recent seasons.

Earlier this week, she won the women’s 400m at the Indian Athletics Series meet in Surat. She clocked 53.49 seconds to claim the victory.

The 25-year-old had also recorded a season best of 52.89 seconds at the Ludhiana leg of the Indian Athletics Series.

Her personal best stands at 50.92 seconds. She also represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

At the Asian Games, her 53.44-second performance secured automatic qualification from her semifinal. Consequently, she will now compete for a place on the podium.

Prachi Qualifies Through Fastest Non-Automatic Spots

Prachi took a different route into the final.

She clocked 53.46 seconds to finish third in Heat 3. Although she did not secure automatic qualification, her time was fast enough to earn one of the available non-automatic places.

Her performance means India will have two runners in Saturday’s final.

Both athletes will now have an opportunity to challenge the continent’s leading quarter-milers.

Kiran Pahal Brings Major Championship Experience

For Pahal, the final will come after an already busy Asian Games campaign.

Her schedule has included duties in the mixed 4x400m relay. She has also competed in the individual 400m.

Her experience at major championships, including the Paris Olympics, will be valuable as she returns to the track for the medal race.

Meanwhile, Prachi will also have an opportunity to compete for a medal after securing her place through her semifinal time.

Asian Games Women’s 400m Final: Date and Time

The women’s 400m final is scheduled for September 26 at 6:15 PM IST.

India’s two finalists now have one race remaining in their pursuit of an Asian Games medal.

  • Kiran Pahal: 53.44 seconds — Second in Heat 2.

  • Prachi: 53.46 seconds — Third in Heat 3, qualified as a non-automatic qualifier.

Both are through to the final. Now, the focus shifts to the Asian Games women’s 400m medal race.