Gyulai Istvan Memorial: 3000m steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary finishes a disappointing sixth

A disappointing result for the Indian women’s 3000m steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary as she finishes sixth at the 14th Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Hungary on Tuesday, July 9. The event is a part of the World Athletics Continental Tour (Gold Level) meet.

Chaudhary, who is set to feature at the Paris Olympics 2024 starting this month, clocked a time of 9:35.66, almost six seconds short of the winner. Logan Jolly of the United States finished first with 9:29.75, followed by Poland’s Aneta Konieczek (9:30.48) and the United States’ Gracie Hyde (9:30.69).

Meanwhile, Elise Thorner of the United Kingdom secured fourth place with a timing of 9:31:68, and Sumeyye Erol of Turkiye finished just above Parul with her personal best of 9:32:93.

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Parul Chaudhary’s PB was the best among all athletes

Parul Chaudhary’s sixth-place finish looks more disappointing as it came despite her personal best (PB) of 9:15.31 being the best among all the athletes. Notably, her PB was also below the Meet Record timing of 9:20:01, which was set by Ethiopian athlete Etenesh Diro in 2017.

Parul’s current timing was also almost four seconds higher than her season best of 9:31:38. With the Paris Olympics 2024 starting soon, the Indian 3000m steeplechaser was expected to be in her best form. However, she will now look to forget this performance and aim to secure a podium finish in Paris.

At the Paris Olympics 2024, Parul will participate not only in the women’s 3000m steeplechase but also in the 5000m event. She qualified for the former by breaching the Olympic qualification mark and in the latter through the Road to Paris World Rankings. Ankita Dhyani will join her in the women’s 5000m event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

It will be Parul's maiden appearance at the Olympics and the Indian fans are hoping that she gets back to form and bring glory to the nation.

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