Parul Chaudhary Celebrates First Award, Aims for Success in Upcoming Competitions

Motivation from Recognition

Long-distance runner Parul Chaudhary expressed that receiving her inaugural award from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has significantly inspired her to excel in future competitions.

In a conversation following her recognition as the Best Female Athlete at the first Indian Athletics Awards, Chaudhary shared her joy about the accolade, emphasizing its importance in her career. "It feels amazing. This is my first award from the Federation, and it truly means a lot to me. It has also motivated me to perform better in upcoming events," she stated.

Training and Upcoming Events

Chaudhary mentioned that her training is progressing well, and she feels confident about the major events on the horizon, including the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. "The training is going well, and I am determined to give my best," she remarked, highlighting her commitment to maintaining her form and enhancing her performance on the international stage.

Chaudhary's Recent Achievements

The Indian steeplechase athlete was awarded the title of 'Best Female Athlete of the Year 2025.' Recently, she came close to breaking her own national record in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase at the Shanghai Diamond League 2026. Chaudhary clocked a time of 9:12.84, marking the beginning of her season, and finished in seventh place. She was just 0.38 seconds shy of her national record, which she set during her gold medal performance at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi last year, where she recorded a time of 9:12.96. Despite her efforts, the 30-year-old from Uttar Pradesh secured a silver medal.

Neeraj Chopra's Recognition

In a related event, Neeraj Chopra, India's two-time Olympic medalist and former world champion in javelin throw, was awarded the 'Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025' at the AFI Awards ceremony. The award was presented by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Chopra recently kicked off his 2026 season by qualifying for the upcoming Commonwealth Games after successfully meeting the qualification standards at the Doha Diamond League.