For a few seconds after crossing the finish line, Vithya Ramraj had no idea she had made history. The 28-year-old Indian hurdler was down on her knees, anxiously looking towards the giant screen at Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya. Then the numbers appeared — 54.75 seconds.

Vithya immediately jumped up and broke into a joyful dance. The timing meant something extraordinary. She had become the first Indian to run the women’s 400m hurdles in under 55 seconds, surpassing a national record that had stood for 42 years.

The record belonged to none other than legendary Indian athlete PT Usha.

A Record That Survived Four Decades

Usha had clocked 55.42 seconds at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, setting a benchmark that remained untouched for generations. Vithya had come close before. At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, she matched Usha’s 55.42-second mark and won bronze. Three years later, she finally moved the clock forward.

Interestingly, Vithya has said that breaking Usha’s record was never her main obsession. Her personal target was simpler—to run below 55 seconds.

And in Nagoya, she did exactly that.

A Podium Finish Too

Vithya’s record-breaking run also brought her a bronze medal. She produced a strong performance through the race, maintaining her rhythm before pushing hard around the final bend. UAE’s Mariam Kareem found an extra burst at the final hurdle to win gold in a Games-record 54.31 seconds.

Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems finished second in 54.58, while Vithya secured third place with her historic 54.75.

As Vithya celebrated, Usha, now Indian Olympic Association President watched from the VIP arena and applauded the new record-holder. It was a remarkable moment connecting two generations of Indian athletics.

A Medal for Her Twin

Behind Vithya’s achievement is another deeply personal story. Her twin sister Nithya, who is currently injured, has remained one of her biggest supporters. Vithya dedicated the medal to her sister.

The twins have also shared the difficult side of the sport. Nithya’s fall and Vithya’s own ankle fracture in 2025 left her with a lingering fear of injuries, particularly while negotiating hurdles. Even the rain in Nagoya added to her anxiety. But when the race began, Vithya pushed those fears aside.

The daughter of a truck driver from Coimbatore, Vithya had spent three years working towards her goal of running under 55 seconds. In Nagoya, she finally achieved it, and broke PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record in the process.