45.57 seconds. Fourth place. A new Indian star is rising in the quarter mile at Asian Athletics Championships 2025.
In a performance that turned heads and ignited Indian athletics circles, Vishal TK delivered a sensational run in the men’s 400m final at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, clocking a massive personal best of 45.57 seconds to finish fourth — just 0.02 seconds shy of a historic bronze.
While he missed the podium by the narrowest of margins, the effort was nothing short of extraordinary. Vishal not only dipped under the coveted 46-second mark for the first time in his career, but he also became the fastest Indian quarter-miler of the 2025 season, overtaking established names like Rajesh Ramesh.
The Race of a Lifetime
Held in South Korea, the final featured some of the continent’s finest 400m runners. Vishal TK, running from lane 3, knew he had to produce something special — and he delivered.
His split was aggressive, his transition smooth, and his final 100m showed the grit of a man refusing to let go. He crossed the finish line in 45.57 seconds, a full 0.62 seconds faster than the 46.19 he clocked just a month earlier at the Federation Cup, where he had announced himself by defeating U-20 champion Jay Kumar and national-level sprinter Rince Joseph.
This was also his second personal best in two days, after clocking a then-lifetime best in the semifinals to qualify for the final — a remarkable achievement for someone who wasn’t even considered a medal contender at the start of the championship season.
A Meteoric Rise in 2025
Vishal’s 2025 campaign has been nothing short of meteoric:
- Gold at the Federation Cup with a strong 46.19s.
- Back-to-back personal bests at the Asian Championships — 45.91s in the semis, 45.57s in the final.
- Dipped below 46 seconds, joining an elite group of Indian sprinters.
- Now 7th fastest Indian of all time over 400m.
And all this in the same year where, just a few months ago, he hadn’t even qualified for the initial squad for the Asian Championships.
India’s Newest Relay Weapon
Vishal’s blistering form comes as a huge boost for India’s 4x400m relay ambitions. With the likes of Rajesh Ramesh, Muhammed Anas, Amoj Jacob, and Noah Nirmal Tom forming the traditional core, Vishal’s arrival adds both depth and competition.
Relay teams thrive on momentum, and Vishal is currently on a wave. His raw speed, fearless approach, and ability to peak under pressure make him a key asset heading into a busy international calendar that could include World Relays, Diamond League meets, and eventually, the Olympic qualification grind.
Beyond the Result: A Need for More Exposure
While Vishal’s run was a breakthrough, it also exposed a reality — Indian athletes often peak late or miss medal chances by fractions, largely due to a lack of exposure at the international level. More consistent participation in elite meets could help talents like Vishal convert narrow fourth-place finishes into podiums.
His 45.57s would have been a medal-winning time in many past Asian Championships. With more races under his belt at this level, the experience gap will close quickly.
With this performance, expectations have soared. There will be pressure — but if his 2025 form is anything to go by, Vishal seems built for the big stage. The immediate focus will likely be on the relay pool and ensuring consistent times across the domestic season, but eyes will already be on qualifying benchmarks for the World Championships and eventually Los Angeles 2028.
For now, though, the Indian athletics community can pause and applaud a breakthrough performance.
Vishal TK didn’t just run a personal best. He ran his way into Indian athletics history.
