Vithya Ramraj, hailing from Coimbatore, is today one of the brightest stars of Indian athletics. But behind her remarkable success lies the struggle and sacrifice of an ordinary family.
Vithya’s father, Ramraj, worked long hours as a driver to support the family, while her mother, Meena, is a homemaker. Vithya has a twin sister, Nithya, who is also a national-level athlete. They also have an elder sister, Sathya.
Despite financial challenges, their mother recognised the athletic potential of her daughters and enrolled Vithya and Nithya in a sports hostel in Erode. That decision proved to be a turning point in their lives.
Vithya studied BBA at Kongu Arts and Science College, Erode, from 2016 to 2019 on a sports scholarship. She later joined the national training camp and took her athletics career to the next level. She currently works with the Indian Railways.
At the 2023 Asian Games, Vithya clocked 55.42 seconds in the 400m hurdles, equalling the long-standing national record set by legendary athlete P.T. Usha.
At the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, she went even further, clocking 54.75 seconds to break the 42-year-old national record and claim the bronze medal.
Vithya enjoyed a remarkable campaign at the 2026 Asian Games, winning gold in the 400m, bronze in the 400m hurdles, silver in the mixed 4x400m relay, and gold in the women’s 4x400m relay, bringing immense pride to India.
A father who worked tirelessly to support his daughters’ dreams, a mother who believed in their talent and sent them to a sports hostel, and a twin sister who supported Vithya’s training from her own earnings — their collective sacrifices have helped Vithya reach the international stage.
From an ordinary family in Coimbatore to raising the Indian Tricolour on the Asian stage, Vithya Ramraj’s journey is a story of determination, sacrifice and extraordinary achievement.
