Harita Bhadra Wins Asian Games Bronze by 0.01 Seconds
Mumbai sprinter Harita Bhadra has scripted a remarkable sporting achievement by winning bronze in the women’s 200m at the 2026 Asian Games. The 23-year-old secured the medal by just 0.01 seconds in a thrilling finish at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Bhadra clocked 23.20 seconds in the final, narrowly beating Japan’s Abigeirufuka Ido, who finished in 23.21 seconds. Singapore’s Shanti Pereira claimed gold with 22.78 seconds, while China’s Chen Yujie secured silver in 22.93 seconds.
The result marked India’s first Asian Games women’s 200m medal since Dutee Chand won silver at the 2018 Jakarta Games. Interestingly, Bhadra initially did not know whether she had finished third or fourth. She realised she had won bronze only after hearing her name announced and receiving confirmation from teammate Unnathi Bolland.
Her journey to the podium is equally interesting. Bhadra was not initially included in India’s athletics contingent for the Asian Games. She received a last-minute opportunity after the Indian Olympic Association requested her inclusion. The Sports Ministry cleared her participation on September 2.
