Rajesh Ramesh and Vithya Ramraj Triumph at Indian Open 400m Athletics Meet
In a thrilling display of speed and endurance, Olympian Rajesh Ramesh delivered a career-defining performance to claim the men's 400m title at the Indian Open 400m 2026 athletics meet. The event, held at the LNCPE Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Saturday, saw Ramesh surge to victory with a personal best time of 45.26 seconds. This remarkable achievement places him among an elite group of Indian quarter-milers who have broken the 46-second barrier, joining the ranks of national record holder Vishal TK (45.12 seconds) and Muhammed Anas (45.21 seconds).
Men's 400m: A Podium of Sub-46-Second Finishers
According to official reports from Olympics.com, Rajesh Ramesh's winning time of 45.26 seconds was not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment in Indian athletics history. He is now only the third Indian athlete ever to dip below 46 seconds in the 400m event. The competition was fierce, with TS Manu securing second place with a time of 45.96 seconds, and Amoj Jacob closely following in third with 45.99 seconds. Notably, all three podium finishers surpassed the Athletics Federation of India's qualifying mark of 45.97 seconds for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
However, it is important to clarify that meeting this qualification standard does not automatically guarantee selection for the Indian contingent. The final team composition will depend on additional factors and official selections by the federation.
Women's 400m: Vithya Ramraj Leads a Competitive Field
In the women's 400m final, Vithya Ramraj emerged victorious with a commanding time of 53.31 seconds. She was followed by Vijayakumari GK, who clocked 53.55 seconds for second place, and Olympian Machettira Raju Poovamma, who took third with 53.61 seconds. Ramraj, whose personal best stands at 52.25 seconds achieved in 2024, demonstrated her prowess by leading a highly competitive race. All three medal winners in the women's event also exceeded the Asian Games qualification mark of 53.72 seconds, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian women's athletics.
The national record in the women's 400m continues to be held by Hima Das, who set a benchmark of 50.79 seconds. This event highlights the ongoing progress and competitive spirit within Indian track and field, as athletes strive to reach new heights on both national and international stages.
