Indian long-distance runner Seema Kumari won bronze in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 24. She finished the race in 32:50.05, giving India its first women’s 10,000m medal at the Asian Games since 2010.Key HighlightsSeema Kumari won the Seema Kumari 10,000m Bronze medal.She finished third with a time of 32:50.05.The medal ended India’s 16-year wait in the event.It was also India’s first athletics medal at the 2026 Asian Games.Seema Kumari Wins Historic BronzeThe Seema Kumari Asian Games 2026 run was a major moment for Indian athletics. Seema stayed close to the leading runners during most of the race. She kept fighting until the final stages and held on to third place.Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi won gold in 32:39.18. Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka won silver in 32:41.54. Seema finished just behind them with 32:50.05.The Seema Kumari bronze medal is only the third medal India has won in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games. Before this, India’s last medals came in 2010. Preeja Sreedharan won gold, while Kavita Raut won silver in that event.“Seema Kumari ended a 16-year wait for a medal in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games.”Related Instagram Video : Seema Kumari 10,000m Bronze EndsSeema Kumari’s Rise in AthleticsBorn in Himachal Pradesh, Seema has built her career in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. She has competed at several major events and has improved her times in recent years."In March 2026, she recorded a personal best of 32:02.43 in the 10,000m at The TEN in California. In April, she also set a 5,000m personal best of 15:16.20."Her earlier results also include gold at the 2024 Asian Cross Country Championships and silver in the 5,000m at the 2025 FISU World University Games. She won gold in the 10,000m at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in 2026.India’s 16-Year 10,000m Medal Wait EndsThe India 16-year 10,000m medal wait ended with Seema’s strong finish in Nagoya. Her performance has added a new chapter to Indian women’s long-distance running at the Asian Games.The Indian athletics Asian Games 2026 campaign now has a medal to celebrate, with Seema’s bronze marking an important result for the country in the women’s 10,000m.Also Read : Asian Games 2026 Day 5 LIVE: Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver, Manu Bhaker Finishes Fifth
