Gumi, South Korea — India’s medal tally at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 continues to rise, thanks to a spirited performance by Rupal Chaudhary, who stormed to a silver medal in the women’s 400m final, clocking 52.68 seconds.
The 20-year-old sprinter, a former World U20 medallist, proved her mettle once again on the senior stage, holding her nerve in a high-quality final to bring home India’s third medal of the championship.
The 400m final was stacked with talent, and Rupal lined up knowing she had the pedigree to challenge the best in Asia. She started strong and maintained form through the back straight, staying within striking distance of Japan’s Nanako Matsumoto, who eventually took gold with a lifetime best of 52.17s — surging ahead only in the final 15 metres with a devastating burst of speed.
Uzbekistan’s Jonbibi Hukmova ran her personal best of 52.79s to clinch bronze, while India’s Vithya Ramraj finished fifth with a time of 53.00s.
A Comeback That Matters
This silver medal means more than just a podium finish — it’s a sign that Rupal is back.
Once hailed as India’s next big sprinting hope after a breakthrough U20 season — where she clocked a sub-52 and won medals on the world stage — injuries had set her back over the past two years. She struggled to rediscover her early career form, often running in the mid-52 to 53-second range without reaching the same explosive heights.
But in Gumi, Rupal looked close to her best again. Her time of 52.68s is her fastest in recent seasons and a powerful statement that she remains a force to be reckoned with in Indian athletics. While she fell just short of the top step of the podium, her consistency and grit under pressure were unmistakable.
India’s Growing Sprint Legacy
This silver adds to India’s growing legacy in the women’s quarter-mile — a discipline that has seen a resurgence in recent years with athletes like Hima Das, Priya Mohan, and Vithya Ramraj making their mark.
With Rupal back in form and a solid crop of sprinters in the mix, the women’s 4x400m relay pool is beginning to look stronger with each passing event — a good sign with global meets and Olympic qualification on the horizon.
What Lies Ahead
For Rupal, the silver medal is a springboard. It’s a reminder to the track world of her potential and a sign to herself that the comeback is very real. With more international races under her belt and better conditioning post-injury, a sub-52 time — or even more — could be around the corner.
The next test will be consistency. Can she stay healthy? Can she push back into the upper echelons of Asian and world sprinting? If Gumi is anything to go by, Rupal is well on her way.
Final Results – Women’s 400m Final, Asian Athletics Championships 2025
🥇 Nanako Matsumoto (Japan) – 52.17s (PB)
🥈 Rupal Chaudhary (India) – 52.68s
🥉 Jonbibi Hukmova (Uzbekistan) – 52.79s (PB)
5️⃣ Vithya Ramraj (India) – 53.00s
Rupal’s silver wasn’t just a medal — it was a message. The spark is still alive. And India’s young sprinter is once again sprinting toward greatness.
