-India Today
28-year-old Parul Chaudhary came up with a sensational performance in Budapest on Wednesday, August 23 to qualify for the final of women’s 3000m steeplechase. She achieved a new personal best of 9:24.29s in Heat 2 to finish fifth and book a spot in the final.
In the World Championships where Commonwealth Games star Avinash Sable failed to impress in men’s 5000m steeplechase, Parul Chaudhary’s showing in the evening session on Wednesday came as a delight to the country, which was celebrating the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the surface of the Moon.
Parul broke her personal best of 9:29.51s which she had managed during a podium finish at the Los Angeles Grand Prix in May. The final of the women’s 3000m steeplechase will be held on August 27, the final day of the world meet in Budapest.
Notably, Parul had finished 31st in the 3000m steeplechase in last year’s World Athletics Championships with a timing of 9:38.90s which was her new personal best at that time.
Parul warmed up to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a Gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok in July. She clocked 9:38.76 there.
Parul Chaudhary battled tough conditions on a humid evening in Budapest and stayed with the leading group in Heat 2 of the Women’s Steeplechase final. She became the first Indian since Lalita Babar to qualify for the World Championships final. Laita had finished 8th in the final in 2015 World Athletics Championships.
Parul Chaudhary also became only the 2nd Indian after Jeswin Aldrin to reach the final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest this year. Aldrin made it to the men’s long jump final with a best effort of 8m
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