Parul Chaudhary has entered the history books of Indian athletics after a standout performance at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. The 28-year-old runner delivered a rare double by winning a silver medal in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase and a gold medal in the women’s 5,000m within a gap of just 24 hours.

The achievement marked two firsts. Parul Chaudhary became the first athlete to win medals in both the women’s steeplechase and 5,000m at the same Asian Games. She also became the first Indian woman to win gold in the 5,000m at the continental event. Her performance has drawn attention not only for the medals but also for the physical and mental strength needed to compete at that level in back-to-back races.

A defining 24 hours on the track

The women’s 3,000m steeplechase is one of the toughest events in athletics. It includes 28 barriers and seven water jumps and demands strength, balance, and timing. Parul Chaudhary won silver in the event after a hard race that pushed most competitors to their limits.

Less than a day later, she returned to the track for the 5,000m final. By then, many expected fatigue to affect her run. Instead, she raced with control for most of the distance and stayed close to the leading group. In the final stretch, she found another gear. With around 20 metres left, she moved past Japan’s Ririka Hironaka and crossed the line first.

That late surge secured her the gold medal and sealed one of India’s most memorable athletics moments at the Games.

Running free after the first medal

After the race, Parul Chaudhary said the silver medal helped ease the pressure. Having already secured a podium finish, she focused on running without overthinking the result. That mindset allowed her to respond when the race opened up in the final moments.

Coaches and analysts have pointed out that such calm decision-making under fatigue is rare, especially in athletes competing in multiple events at major championships.

More than a sporting goal

For Parul Chaudhary, the gold medal also carried personal meaning. She had long aimed to earn a position as a Deputy Superintendent of Police. In her home state of Uttar Pradesh, international sporting success can lead to such appointments.

After her Asian Games triumph, she received her DSP appointment letter from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The moment capped years of effort that began far from elite tracks and stadiums.

A late start and early setbacks

Parul Chaudhary did not begin her athletics career at a young age. She started running seriously while she was in Class 11. Early signs were promising at national meets, but international competitions told a different story.

She missed qualification for the 2018 Asian Games and later failed to make the cut for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Those setbacks forced her to consider leaving competitive sport and taking up a job.

She chose to continue training, guided by a simple belief that steady work would lead to results. That choice proved decisive.

Coaching changes that reshaped her career

In 2021, Parul Chaudhary began training under Jaiveer Singh, a former international athlete and Haryana athletics coach. At the time, her steeplechase personal best stood at 9 minutes 51 seconds.

Singh identified a technical issue. Parul used the same leg to clear most hurdles, which drained energy over the race. He worked with her to alternate legs while jumping barriers. The change reduced fatigue and improved her rhythm.

The results followed. At the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, she clocked 9 minutes 15 seconds in the 3,000m steeplechase. The time set a new national record and earned her qualification for the Paris Olympics.

Singh has since said that if she brings her timing closer to nine minutes, she can compete for medals at global events.

Remembering early support

Parul Chaudhary also credits her first coach, Gaurav Tyagi, who spotted her in Meerut and encouraged her to take athletics seriously. He predicted she would make a name for herself one day. Even now, she stays in touch with those who supported her at the start of her journey.

That sense of continuity has helped her stay grounded as attention around her grows.

Focus shifts to Paris Olympics

With the Asian Games behind her, Parul Chaudhary has turned her focus to the Paris Olympics. Her recent results place her among India’s strongest medal prospects in women’s middle-distance events.

Indian athletics officials view her progress as a sign of growing depth in women’s distance running. Her rise also reflects better coaching, improved planning, and stronger support systems at the national level.

As preparations continue, expectations remain measured. The aim is consistency, fitness, and steady improvement rather than chasing bold predictions.

A marker for Indian athletics

Parul Chaudhary’s Asian Games performance stands as a marker of how far Indian athletics has come in recent years. It also shows what is possible when persistence meets the right guidance.

From missed qualifications to national records, her journey offers a clear example of how athletes can recover from setbacks and still reach the top.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Parul Chaudhary?
Parul Chaudhary is an Indian athlete who competes in middle- and long-distance track events. She won silver in the 3,000m steeplechase and gold in the 5,000m at the Asian Games.

Q2. What is Parul Chaudhary’s age?
Parul Chaudhary is 28 years old.

Q3. What records has Parul Chaudhary achieved?
She is the first Indian woman to win a 5,000m gold at the Asian Games and holds the national record in the 3,000m steeplechase.

Q4. Has Parul Chaudhary qualified for the Paris Olympics?
Yes, she qualified for the Paris Olympics after setting a national record at the World Athletics Championships in 2023.