Tamil Nadu athlete Vidhya Ramaraj created a new record at the 20th Asian Games being held in Japan, winning a bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Vidhya clocked 55.41 seconds to finish the event, improving the national record of 55.42 seconds set by P.T. Usha at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics by 0.01 seconds.
Vidhya had equalled Usha’s record at the 2023 Asian Games. After three years of intensive training, she has now surpassed the record and set a new national mark.
Vidhya also won a silver medal in the relay event, taking her medal tally at the Games to two. The Tamil Nadu government has announced an incentive of ₹30 lakh in recognition of her achievement.
Vidhya, 28, is the daughter of retired private company driver Ramaraj and Meena of Meenakshipuram in Coimbatore district. She grew up amid financial difficulties and completed her college education in Erode. She is currently working in the Palakkad Railway Division.
Vidhya and her twin sister Nithya developed an interest in athletics from a young age. Both completed their college education through the sports quota. Nithya is currently working in the Income Tax Department, while Vidhya is employed in the Railways.
Vidhya’s mother Meena said her daughter had worked hard for the past three years with the goal of breaking P.T. Usha’s record, and that her efforts had now borne fruit.
She also urged parents not to place restrictions on girls and to encourage them to pursue the fields of their choice.
Vidhya’s father Ramaraj said the family celebrated her achievement by bursting firecrackers. He added that the family’s next dream was for Vidhya to participate in the Olympics and win a medal for the country.
