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Vithya Ramraj: Lorry Driver's Daughter Shatters P.T. Usha's Record, A True Inspiration!
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CNBC Awaaz•01-10-2026, 12:51
Vithya Ramraj: Lorry Driver's Daughter Shatters P.T. Usha's Record, A True Inspiration!
- •Tamil Nadu athlete Vithya Ramraj broke P.T. Usha's decades-old record at the 2026 Asian Games.
- •Vithya set a new Indian National Record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 54.75 seconds, surpassing P.T. Usha's 55.42 seconds from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
- •Vithya had equaled Usha's record three years ago and worked tirelessly to break it; the Tamil Nadu government announced an incentive of 75 lakh rupees (for gold) and 30 lakh rupees (for bronze) for her achievement.
- •Daughters of Ramraj and Meena, Vithya and her twin sister Nithya have been active in sports since childhood; their father Ramraj, a former lorry driver, now raises goats in the village.
- •Vithya's story demonstrates that hard work, discipline, and big dreams can elevate an individual to extraordinary heights, regardless of ordinary circumstances.
Key Questions Answered
Vithya Ramraj broke P.T. Usha's legendary national record in the 400-meter hurdles by clocking a personal best of 54.75 seconds. The previous record of 55.42 seconds had been held by Usha since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Vithya Ramraj won a bronze medal in the women's 400m hurdles event and also secured a silver medal as part of the 4x400m mixed relay team at the 2026 Asian Games.
The Tamil Nadu government announced a cash incentive of 75 lakh rupees for a gold medal and 30 lakh rupees for a bronze medal, with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay specifically recognizing her bronze-winning achievement with a 30 lakh rupee reward.
