Parul Chaudhary clinches 5000m bronze at Asian Games
Parul Chaudhary secures her second bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 with a stellar performance in the women's 5000m event.
Indian track star Parul Chaudhary has continued her incredible run at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, securing her second bronze medal in just three days. Chaudhary delivered a gritty performance in the women's 5000m final on Monday, proving her endurance and consistency on the continental stage.
A fierce battle on the track
The 5000m race was a high-stakes encounter that saw athletes pushing their limits. According to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Chaudhary crossed the finish line in 15:14.61 to claim the bronze. She finished just 1.46 seconds behind Japan's Nozomi Tanaka, who took the silver medal with a time of 15:11.65. The gold medal was claimed by Bahrain's Winfred Yavi, who clocked 15:10.18.
This podium finish highlights Chaudhary's remarkable stamina, especially considering her intense schedule during the games.
A historic three-day campaign
Chaudhary's performance in Aichi-Nagoya has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her journey through the finals has been marked by relentless effort:
- September 26: Finished 4th in the women's 1500m final with a time of 4:09.46.
- September 27: Clinched bronze in the women's 3000m steeplechase, setting a new national record with a time of 9:08.67.
- September 28: Secured bronze in the women's 5000m.
By returning to the podium in two different events within three days, Chaudhary has become a cornerstone of India's athletics campaign at the continental event.
India's rising medal tally
Chaudhary's latest achievement has boosted India's overall success at the Asian Games. With her addition to the tally, India now holds 42 medals, consisting of four gold, 18 silver, and 20 bronze. This success has propelled India to 12th place in the overall medal standings. Athletics has emerged as a powerhouse for the nation, contributing 16 of India's total medals so far.
Other notable performances
The day was filled with success for the Indian contingent. Other highlights included:
- Vithya Ramraj: Won bronze in the women's 400m hurdles, clocking a personal best of 54.75s and breaking the national record previously held by PT Usha.
- Gulveer Singh: Secured his second silver medal of the Games in the men's 1500m, finishing runner-up with a personal best of 3:36.72.