The Indian women’s relay team created history by winning the gold medal in the 4x400m final on Tuesday (September 29). The team comprising Poovamma Machettira, Prachi Choudhary, Kiran Pahal and Vithya Ramraj signed off from the Asian Games with the gold. They clocked 3:29.69 on the final day of athletics events in Nagoya. It was Poovamma’s third team gold. She was also part of the winning teams in 2014 and 2018. Following India’s gold medal win, Poovamma and Prachi spoke exclusively to Sports Now. Excerpts:
Sports Now: Winning two medals in a single tournament isn’t easy. Poovamma, coming to you first. You are a legend. You have won medals across so many Asian Games. What does this gold medal mean to you, and how do you just keep going?
Poovamma: This medal means a lot, because this is my third Asian Games. In 2014, I won one bronze and one gold; in 2018, two golds; and here in 2026, one silver and one gold. I’m very proud. When I represented India at the 2014 Asian Games, I was just 24. Now I’m 36. I’m very proud of that.
It should serve as an inspiration to youngsters who want to take up sports, or who think they aren’t performing well by age 24 or 25. Age doesn’t matter. Keep working hard—with dedication and determination, we will show what we are capable of. Today, we girls are the “Golden Girls.” We are proud. Nari Shakti Zindabad!
Sports Now: Nari Shakti (Women Power) has secured gold in athletics as well?
Poovamma: Yes, it fills us with immense pride because we heard the national anthem. Hearing the national anthem is a completely different feeling—there are no words to express it. This was the only gold medal in athletics for us, coming from the women’s 4x400m team. At the previous Asian Games, we couldn’t win gold; we got silver, so this was sweet revenge. We, the women’s 400m team, will never give up. We are the Golden Girls, and we will be forever.
Sports Now: Golden Girl Prachi is here with me as well. Prachi, what would you like to say? Two medals in a single edition—conditions weren’t easy, but winning gold, winning bronze, and competing alongside Poovamma—what do all these things mean to you?
Prachi: First of all, I am extremely happy because I won an individual bronze and a gold in the relay. As soon as I won the individual bronze, it gave me a strong boost. I thought, I’ve won a bronze in my individual event, now I need to do well alongside my team. My team must have also received a boost knowing an individual medal was locked in. That positivity drove us, and today we took gold, which makes me very happy. At the last Asian Games, my relay medal was silver, and back then I resolved that when I return next time, I will take home the gold. That was my primary motive.
Sports Now: Poovamma, coming back to you. You mentioned you were 24 back then and are 36 now. Things obviously get difficult with age. First, how do you train for it, and second, what keeps you going and motivated?
Poovamma: I don’t know what keeps me motivated, but I love what I do. Sports is my passion. Anyone who has known me over the years knows how much I love sports, especially my parents. Now I am married, and my husband is extremely supportive. When I was away from the national camp, Coach Galina Ma’am sent over my training regimen, and my husband managed it.
He sacrificed a lot—he’d go to his office, cook for me, and help train me. I am here today because of all their sacrifices. Training-wise, I am currently working under Jerry Holness, who understands what training suits an athlete and plans accordingly. I managed my season’s best timing. I didn’t believe I could run under 53 seconds, but I ran my season’s best. I haven’t decided what lies ahead yet. Hope to be back, let’s see.
Sports Now: LA [the Olympics] is coming up in two years…
Poovamma: Yeah, I know it’s in two years, but I will be 38 by then. But let’s see, age doesn’t matter much because international athletes compete until 38 or 39 before retiring. Since I am still performing, let’s see what is stored for me. I am very happy we won gold, and very proud of my country.
Sports Now: Poovamma, a lot of youngsters back home in India look up to you—ever since you won that medal in 2014. What is your message to them? Does life change when you become an athlete?
Poovamma: I just want to tell them: keep working hard, no matter what happens—be it injuries or temporary form struggles. With dedication, hard work, and perseverance, keep pushing forward. One day or another, hard work surely pays off.
First of all, I would like to thank the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), SAI, the Government, TOPS, and Narendra Modi Sir. Because of everyone’s support, we are here. Special thanks to Lalit Bhanot Sir, who motivated us before the event, guiding us on how to win gold. All we wanted was to win gold for our country, for everyone, and for my department, ONGC.
Prachi: It’s an unexplainable feeling when the national anthem plays across the whole stadium, especially when you are competing outside India. It gives you goosebumps when it happens. It’s a feeling you can’t put into words. I waited a long time and worked extremely hard for this moment.
I even registered my personal best time this year, and my main target was to take home the gold. The Federation helped us immensely, and Lalit Bhanot Sir motivated us continuously—even right before my individual 400m race where I got bronze. Today, he sent encouraging messages urging us to fetch the gold, so that was the only thought running through my mind.
Sports Now: Who do you dedicate these medals to?
Prachi: To India.
Poovamma: Of course, we dedicate this medal to India, but personally, this medal is for my parents who sacrificed so much. The past 24 years weren’t easy—from 2002 to 2026, it’s been a long journey. So to my parents, my brother, my husband, and our support staff—coaches and physios—without whom nothing is possible. Running alone isn’t enough; the physiotherapists put in massive efforts. For these Asian Games, our physio Dr. Lima, worked tirelessly from morning to evening. Every single person’s effort matters, so I dedicate this medal to all of them.