Chennai, Sep 28 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday lauded Vithya Ramraj, Indian track and field athlete, for making history by winning bronze medal in the women’s 400-metre hurdles in the ongoing 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
He extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Vithya Ramraj, who has brought pride to Tamil Nadu and India.
“It is even more commendable that the renowned Indian track and field athlete P T Usha’s national record, set in 1984, has been shattered by the champion Vithya Ramraj after 42 years, establishing a new national record,” the chief minister said on “X.”
He announced a cash incentive of Rs 30 lakh on behalf of Tamil Nadu government to Vithya Ramraj in recognition of her outstanding
achievement.
“Her victory will provide new inspiration and confidence to the youth and women of Tamil Nadu. I wish track and field athlete Vithya Ramraj continued success in achieving many more accomplishments,” the CM said.
Vithya clocked 54.75 seconds to break a more than four-decade-old earlier national record of 55.42 second which has been in the name of the legendary Usha — set during the 1984 Olympics — and win a second medal at the ongoing Asian Games. She was a part of the silver-winning 4×400 m mixed relay team.
The 28-year-old from Coimbatore finished behind UAE’s Mariam Kareem, who won gold with a Games record 54.31 seconds, and Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems, who took silver with a personal best of 54.58 seconds. PTI JSP JSP KH
