India’s Harita Bhadra won the bronze medal in the women’s 200m at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on Sunday, producing a thrilling finish to secure her first Asian Games medal.
Bhadra clocked 23.20 seconds in the final and finished just 0.01 seconds ahead of Japan’s Abigeirufuka Ido, who recorded 23.21 seconds. The narrow margin made the race a photo finish, with Bhadra holding her position until the final line.
Singapore’s Veronica Shanti Pereira won the gold medal in 22.78 seconds, setting a season-best time. China’s Chen Yujie finished second in 22.93 seconds to take the silver medal.
Bhadra’s performance was particularly significant as it came on her Asian Games debut. The 23-year-old Indian sprinter became only the sixth Indian woman to win a medal in the Asian Games 200m event. Her bronze also ended India’s wait for a women’s 200m podium finish since Dutee Chand’s bronze at the 2018 Asian Games.
India also had another athlete in the final, with Unnathi Aiyappa Bolland finishing sixth. Official results reported her time as 23.46 seconds.
Bhadra’s bronze added another medal to India’s strong athletics campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Her close finish against Ido also highlighted the competitive level of the women’s 200m event.
The result marked an important milestone in Bhadra’s career and gave India another podium finish in athletics at the continental competition.