By Sundeep Misra, OCA Media
Nagoya, Japan, September 26, 2026: The skies above the stadium opened up as the incessant rain turned the synthetic track into a slick, glistening runway. Yet, amidst the driving downpours and adverse weather, Bahrain’s Salwa Naser delivered a performance of athletic resilience, etching her name into the history books with one of the finest 400-meter races the Asian Games has ever witnessed at Nagoya City Mizuho Athletic Stadium on Saturday.
Powering through the slick track, Naser clocked a blistering 49.20 seconds, beating her own Asian Games record of 50.09 set at Jakarta 2018.
She wasn’t just racing the field; she raced history. Crossing the line way ahead of her competitors, she shattered the Games record with breathtaking ease. This triumph marks a stunning milestone in Naser’s illustrious career, her second Asian Games gold in the 400m, adding to the crown she first claimed in 2018, and sweet redemption following her silver-medal finish in 2022. Even as the elements tested every competitor’s footing, Naser’s determination and stride proved unstoppable.
Iran's Zahra Zarei took the silver in 52.38 with the bronze going to India's Prachi in 53.21.
Salwa, the Asian record-holder with 48.14, said: “Breaking the Games record out here tonight in these conditions makes this gold extra special.”
The treacherous, rain-slicked conditions set a dramatic stage for the middle-distance runners as well, in the women’s 1500m showdown. Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka braved the wet conditions to lead the pack all the way, her steady pace keeping the field at bay as the stadium fans roared her on.
However, the final lap brought high drama as the bell rang. Bahrain’s Nelly Korir surged forward with a powerful burst, seizing the lead and holding it fiercely to claim the gold with a time of 4:04.50. Behind her, the race for the remaining podium spots turned into a desperate battle. China’s Li Chunhui launched a phenomenal, late-race surge on the final stretch, navigating the surface with precision to snatch the silver in 4:05.50, leaving Tanaka to bravely fight off the conditions and settle for a hard-earned bronze in 4:06.14.
Korir said: “When the bell rang, I knew I had to time my move just right. I trusted my training, dug deep through the wet track on the final stretch, and I am so happy to bring this gold for Bahrain.”