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Vidya Ramraj 400m Hurdles: Breaks PT Usha Record, Targets Under 54 Seconds at World Championships
Her truck driver father borrowed money to buy athletic shoes for Vidya Ramraj and her twin sister, Nitya. Today, Vidya has won three Asian Games medals in Japan, including one gold. Having broken PT Usha's 42-year-old record, Vidya now aims to run under 54 seconds in the 400m hurdles.
Even after breaking the 42-year record of PT Usha, Vidya Ramraj was not celebrating. The pressure on her of bringing back the glory of India in the 4x400 relay team, which ruled between 2002 and 2018, was too much to bear.
Vidya, representing Bahrain in the relay, regained India's lost dominance at the 2023 Asian Games. An emotional Vidya told Amar Ujala, "I remember my father's struggle. There was a time when his truck driver father couldn't afford athletic shoes for her and her twin athlete sister, Nitya." They approached many people, but received no help. However, they didn't give up and, by borrowing shoes, helped both sisters advance their careers.
Vidya dedicated her medals won in Japan to her sister Nitya. During Vidya's struggle, Nitya supported her expenses from her salary. Vidya said she was happy that she broke P.T. Usha's record, but she was even happier that she had become the first Indian girl to complete the 400-meter hurdles in under 55 seconds.
