World Athletics Championships 2023: Parul Chaudhary sets new PB, qualifies for 3000m steeplechase final

Becomes the second Indian to qualify for the final at the ongoing edition

India’s Parul Chaudhary qualified to the final of women’s 3000m steeplechase by clocking 09:24.29 minutes in the qualifying round of World Athletics Championships 2023. The result also makes her the second Indian female athlete ever to qualify for the final round of a track event at World Athletics Championships.. On the way to the final Parul Chaudhary slashed her personal best mark by five seconds which she achieved in May earlier this year.

The Indian paced her run well, keeping herself close to the forward pack. Throughout the race, Parul majorly stayed in the sixth or seventh positions and it was the last two laps where she caught up pace to go ahead to the fifth spot, leapfrogging Australia’s Cara Feain-Ryan and Canada’s Ceili Mccabe. A well strategised race helped her get through to the final and thereby becomes the only second Indian to reach the final at the ongoing World Athletics Championships 2023.

Training in Colorado Springs in the USA has reaped huge rewards for the 28-year-old. The 28-year-old clocked 09:29.51 minutes at USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix a then personal best and within few months time breaches yet another PB time. Parul Chaudhary has had a good 2023 season till date – won two medals (gold and silver silver medal each) at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023. Prior to the Asian Championships, she clinched the top spot at the National Inter-States Athletics Championships.

The improve in her timings has been massive as she has shed off 14 seconds from the previous edition of the World Championships i.e within a year’s time. Parul’s next aim will be break the national record held by Lalita Babar (9:19.76) and if achieved will also breach the Paris Olympics qualification mark (09:23.00).

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