Nagoya, Oct 1: Vithya Ramraj has set a new record by breaking a 43-year-old national record at the ongoing Asian Games in Japan.
Vithya secured the bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 54.75 seconds, thereby surpassing legendary athlete PT Usha’s 43-year-old national record. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced a cash prize of Rs.30 lakh to honor this historic achievement by the daughter of an ordinary lorry driver.
Speaking about winning the bronze and breaking PT Usha’s record, Vithya expressed her joy: “I am at a loss for words. This victory brings me immense happiness. This is the first time in my life that I have completed the race in under 55 seconds. Before the race started, I was praying for the rain to stop. Fortunately, it did. I dedicate this medal to my sister, who is currently struggling with an injury. I am confident that we will both make a comeback to the track together in the upcoming Asian Championships or World Championships.” “Medals can wait, but time doesn’t. I was focused more on the timing than the medal. My coach had predicted I would finish in 54 seconds, and that is exactly what I did,” she said. Legendary athlete P.T. Usha herself tweeted to encourage and applaud the young runner for her historic achievement in the women’s 400m hurdles event.
“Congratulations, Vithya; records are meant to be broken. There is no greater reward for an athlete than seeing today’s young sportspeople surpass the records we once set. It is truly a special moment that Vithya has broken my 43-year-old record,” she remarked appreciatively.
Originally from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, she broke the national record set by legendary athlete P.T. Usha 42 years ago. Vithya completed the race in the final in 54.75 seconds. With this, P.T. Usha’s record of 55.42 seconds—set at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics—has been shattered, and the young athlete has created history in the record books.