India’s wait for a medal in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games is finally over. Seema Kumari ran exceptionally well in the final on Thursday, earning a bronze and putting an end to a 16-year medal drought in this event.
Seema finished the race with a time of 32:50.05, securing India’s third-ever medal in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games. The gold medal went to Winfred Yavi from Bahrain, who clocked in at 32:39.18, while Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka took home the silver with a time of 32:41.54.
The race saw Yavi and Tanaka in an exciting showdown toward the end, with Yavi ultimately taking the lead. Seema kept her composure, distancing herself from the competitors behind her and clinching a notable spot on the podium.
This bronze medal is significant as it marks India’s first medal in the women’s 10,000m at the Asian Games since 2010. Furthermore, it is also the first podium finish for Indian athletics at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Seema’s Display of Strength
The race proved to be a test of both patience and endurance, and Seema maintained her position as the top runners began to pull ahead. While Yavi and Tanaka raced neck and neck for the gold, Seema focused on pacing herself well to secure the bronze. She finished the race strong, celebrating her achievement with a time of 32:50.05.
Final Results of the Women’s 10,000m
- Winfred Yavi (Bahrain) – 32:39.18
- Nozomi Tanaka (Japan) – 32:41.54
- Seema Kumari (India) – 32:50.05
Meet Seema
Seema Kumari was born on January 10, 2001, in Himachal Pradesh. She is a talented long-distance runner, recognized for her performance in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. She has been making waves in athletics, having won gold in the senior women’s race at the 2024 Asian Cross Country Championships in Hong Kong and a silver medal in the 5,000m at the 2025 FISU World University Games.
In 2026, she continued to shine, winning gold in the 10,000m at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships. This year, Seema achieved personal bests, recording a time of 32:02.43 in the 10,000m in California and 15:16.20 in the 5,000m.
Seema has been part of the Khelo India program since July 2018, receiving crucial support for her training at the National Coaching Camp leading up to the 2026 Asian Games. With additional backing from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC), Seema’s hard work is paying off. At just 25 years old, she has now added an Asian Games bronze to her impressive list of accolades and has solidified her position as one of India’s top long-distance runners.
