India's women's 4x100m relay team stormed to gold at the Asian Relays Championship in China on June 27, 2026, clocking a season-best time of 43.42 seconds. The quartet—comprising Dutee Chand, Hima Das, V. K. Vismaya, and Archana Suseendran—delivered a flawless performance to top the podium at the Guangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.
Race Highlights and Season-Best Performance
The Indian team started strongly with Dutee Chand on the first leg, handing over to Hima Das, who maintained the momentum. V. K. Vismaya powered through the third bend, and Archana Suseendran anchored the team to victory. Their time of 43.42 seconds was the fastest by any Indian women's relay team this season, surpassing their previous best of 43.68 seconds set at the Federation Cup earlier this year.
According to Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officials, the win is a significant boost ahead of the Asian Games later this year. 'This gold medal reflects the hard work and coordination of the team. We are confident they will perform well in Hangzhou,' said AFI president Adille Sumariwalla.
Dominance in the Final
India led from start to finish, with China finishing second in 43.78 seconds and Kazakhstan taking bronze in 44.12 seconds. The Indian team's seamless baton exchanges and strong finishing kick proved decisive. The victory marks India's first gold in the women's 4x100m at the Asian Relays Championship since 2019.
Impact on Asian Games Preparation
The gold medal comes as a morale booster for the Indian contingent preparing for the Asian Games scheduled for September 2026. The women's relay team is expected to be a strong medal contender, especially after this season-best performance. Hima Das, who ran the second leg, expressed confidence: 'We have been training hard, and this result shows our potential. We aim to improve further at the Asian Games.'
The Asian Relays Championship serves as a key preparatory event for the Asian Games, and India's performance across events has been encouraging. The men's 4x100m relay team also secured a silver medal earlier in the day, clocking 38.95 seconds, behind China's gold-winning time of 38.72 seconds.
Looking Ahead
With the Asian Games on the horizon, the Indian women's sprint team has set a benchmark. Their season-best effort in China signals a return to form for the unit, which has faced challenges due to injuries and inconsistent performances in recent years. The AFI has planned a training camp in Bengaluru to fine-tune the relay exchanges and endurance ahead of the Games.
