Ace distance runner Seema Kumari ended a 16-year wait for a medal in the women\u2019s 10,000m at the Asian Games after securing bronze in the final at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Seema clocked 32:50.05 to finish third behind Bahrain\u2019s Winfred Yavi, who won gold in 32:39.18, and Japan\u2019s Nozomi Tanaka, who claimed silver in 32:41.54.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian long-distance runner stayed in contention throughout the race after making an impressive start. She led the field through the opening 2,000m, completing the first 1,000m in 3:18.12 before reaching the 2,000m mark in 6:36.13.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As the pace increased, Seema slipped to fourth but remained within touching distance of the leading runners. With 1,000m remaining, she moved back into third and held her position through the final stages to secure the bronze.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India secured the silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games, clocking 3:14.46 to finish second behind Bahrain in a closely fought final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium here on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian quartet of Machettira Poovamma, Vishal Thennarasu, Ramraj Vithya and Thekkinalil Manu produced a strong performance to finish ahead of Vietnam, who narrowly missed out on silver after clocking 3:14.54. Bahrain won the gold medal in a games-record time of 3:12.87, while Japan finished fourth in 3:15.52.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s 0.08-second advantage over Vietnam at the start proved decisive as the quartet held its nerve in a thrilling battle for the podium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The result continued India\u2019s impressive record in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Asian Games. After winning gold at Jakarta 2018 and silver at Hangzhou 2023, India have now collected a medal in the event at three successive editions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was a setback too as Asha Ilango narrowly missed out on a medal in women\u2019s triple jump, finishing fourth on countback after matching China\u2019s Li Yi with a best effort of 13.83m.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asha\u2019s medal hopes came down to her final attempt after she and Li had registered the same best mark. With Li holding the advantage on the second-best jump, the Indian needed to surpass 13.79m with her last effort. She could only manage 13.59m, leaving her fourth in the final standings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was a setback too as Asha Ilango narrowly missed out on a medal in women\u2019s triple jump, finishing fourth on countback after matching China\u2019s Li Yi with a best effort of 13.83m.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Uzbekistan\u2019s defending champion Sharifa Davronova retained the title with a personal-best 14.35m. China\u2019s Huang Yingying claimed silver with 14.12m, while Li Yi took bronze with 13.83m.<\/p>\r\n\r\n