Mandaviya hails Parul Chaudhary's Bronze & NR at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Parul Chaudhary claimed bronze in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya with a national record of 9:08.67. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya celebrated the achievement on X, amplifying India's growing track-and-field momentum on the continental stage.
Key Takeaways
Parul Chaudhary won bronze in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Her winning time of 9:08.67 set a new national record for India in the event.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya celebrated the result on X under the #Cheer4Bharat campaign.
The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya follows the previous edition held in Hangzhou in 2023 .
The Khelo India programme (launched 2017 ) underpins government support for athletes like Chaudhary competing internationally.
A national record shattered, and a bronze medal secured — Parul Chaudhary delivered one of India's standout moments at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, clocking 9:08.67 in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase to climb the podium on Sunday, September 27. Union Labour and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was quick to celebrate the feat on X, calling it 'A PODIUM SEALED WITH A NATIONAL RECORD!'
9:08.67 — the number that rewrites India's record books
Chaudhary's timing of 9:08.67 doesn't just earn a medal — it sets a new national standard for the event, underscoring how rapidly Indian women's middle-distance running has evolved on the continental stage. The steeplechase is a gruelling discipline: 3000 metres of barriers and water jumps demand both speed and technique, and a national record in an Asian Games final signals a performance hitting its absolute ceiling at the right moment. Chaudhary has been a fixture on India's international track circuit, with the Asian Games and Olympics regularly on her calendar. Her bronze in Aichi-Nagoya adds a landmark chapter to that story.Mandaviya's ringside cheer and the ministry's medal-by-medal push
Minister Mandaviya, who holds the sports portfolio alongside Labour, has made a habit of personally flagging individual athlete achievements — a deliberate strategy to amplify visibility for track-and-field disciplines that can fly under the radar between Olympic cycles. The hashtag #Cheer4Bharat — a signature campaign of the ministry — accompanied his post, part of a broader effort to build a public culture of engagement around Indian athletes competing abroad. The ministry's backing sits within a wider policy frame: the Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, was designed precisely to identify and fund athletes in disciplines like athletics and give them the infrastructure to compete at the highest level. Performances like Chaudhary's on the Aichi-Nagoya track are the visible return on that investment.India's medal watch at Aichi-Nagoya
The 2026 Asian Games, hosted by Aichi-Nagoya following the 2023 Hangzhou edition, is shaping up as a key test of India's sporting depth across disciplines. Athletics has historically been one of the country's most productive events at the Games, and a bronze with a national record in the steeplechase keeps that momentum alive. Every podium finish here feeds the data that informs future investment, selection policy, and the country's preparation arc toward the next Olympic cycle. For Parul Chaudhary, the clock stopped at 9:08.67 — and when it did, it moved India's benchmark forward.Point of View
Personalised social media response reflects a conscious ministry strategy to elevate individual athletes' visibility and build public investment in non-cricket sport. Each podium at Aichi-Nagoya serves a dual function: rewarding the athlete and building the political and popular case for sustained funding. The steeplechase result will likely feed directly into selection and resource discussions for the next Olympic cycle.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What time did Parul Chaudhary run in the Asian Games 2026 steeplechase?
Parul Chaudhary ran a time of 9:08.67 in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase at the 2026 Asian Games, which is a new Indian national record.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The 2026 Asian Games are being hosted by Aichi-Nagoya, Japan , following the 2023 edition held in Hangzhou, China.
Who is Parul Chaudhary?
Parul Chaudhary is an Indian track and field athlete specialising in middle-distance events, including the 3000m steeplechase, who competes at international tournaments including the Asian Games and Olympics.
What is the Khelo India programme?
Khelo India is a government programme launched in 2017 to identify and financially support Indian athletes in various sports disciplines for international competition.
What is the #Cheer4Bharat campaign?
#Cheer4Bharat is a social media campaign used by India's Sports Ministry to build public engagement around Indian athletes competing at major international events.
