Nadda hails Parul Chaudhary's Asian Games 2026 bronze
Synopsis
Parul Chaudhary clocked a national-record 9:08.67 to win bronze in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda publicly celebrated the feat, calling it a performance that has made the nation proud.
Key Takeaways
Parul Chaudhary won the bronze medal in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase at the Asian Games 2026 .
Her finishing time of 9:08.67 set a new Indian national record in the event.
The Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda posted congratulations on September 27, 2026 , calling the performance 'stellar.' The result marks a significant milestone for Indian women's distance running on the Asian stage.
A new national record and a bronze medal — Parul Chaudhary delivered both on the same night at the Asian Games 2026, clocking 9:08.67 in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase to put India on the athletics podium. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda was among the first to publicly celebrate the feat, posting his congratulations on Sunday, September 27.
A clock that rewrites the record books
Chaudhary's 9:08.67 did not just earn a medal — it erased India's previous best in the steeplechase, making this one of the most significant individual athletics performances for the country at a major multi-sport Games. The steeplechase demands a rare combination of speed, stamina, and hurdling technique over 3,000 metres, and a sub-9:09 clocking at Asian Games level is a result that commands serious attention across the continent.
Nadda described the run as a 'stellar performance,' adding that Chaudhary's 'determination has made the nation proud.' The congratulatory post reflects a broader tradition of senior government figures amplifying athletic achievements as signals of India's growing sporting ambition on the Asian stage.
Parul Chaudhary's rise in Indian distance running
Chaudhary has been one of Indian athletics' most consistent names in the steeplechase and distance events, with a track record of pushing national benchmarks. Her performance at Aichi-Nagoya — the host region for the 2026 Asian Games — adds an Asian Games medal to a career already marked by national-record chasing. For Indian women's middle-distance running, a podium finish at Asia's premier multi-sport meet is a milestone with real historical weight.
India's athletics push at Aichi-Nagoya
The 2026 Asian Games, held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, continue a quadrennial series that has served as the primary yardstick for India's athletics progress since the country first competed in the Games in the 1950s. Each edition has tracked the arc of India's investment in track-and-field infrastructure and athlete development. A national record set on an Asian Games track carries double the resonance — competitive proof delivered on the biggest regional stage.
With the athletics programme still unfolding, India's coaches and officials will be watching closely to see whether Chaudhary's bronze can spark further podium finishes across the field.
One race, one record, one bronze — and a benchmark that Indian steeplechasers will now have to chase for years to come.
Point of View
Linking athletic success to national pride and policy continuity. The steeplechase, a technically demanding discipline, is an unlikely flagship — but a podium finish at an Asian Games resets expectations for Indian coaches and selectors. If the government's athlete-development programmes continue on their current trajectory, results like Chaudhary's may shift from exceptions to a pattern.
NationPress
28 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Parul Chaudhary win at Asian Games 2026?
Parul Chaudhary won the bronze medal in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
What is Parul Chaudhary's national record time in the 3000m steeplechase?
Parul Chaudhary set a new Indian national record of 9:08.67 during the Women's 3000m Steeplechase final at the Asian Games 2026.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
What did J. P. Nadda say about Parul Chaudhary's win?
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda congratulated Chaudhary on winning bronze and setting a national record, calling it a 'stellar performance' that has 'made the nation proud.'
Who is Parul Chaudhary in Indian athletics?
Parul Chaudhary is an Indian distance runner and steeplechase specialist known for repeatedly pushing national records in the 3000m steeplechase and other distance events.
