“This is insanely great running” - Fans go berserk as Kiran Pahal becomes second fastest Indian women’s 400m runner
Indian quarter-miler Kiran Pahal created history by finishing the 400m race in only 50.92 seconds. She is now the second-fastest Indian women’s runner behind Hima Das, who created the national record of 50.79 seconds at the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta.
Kiran Pahal achieved this feat in the semi-finals to top her heat at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana on Thursday, June 27.
Devy Aniba Zala from Gujarat was a distant second with a timing of 53.44 seconds while Kerala's Sneha was at the third spot with 53.51 seconds. Finals will take place on Friday, June 28.
Remarkably, the 24-year-old athlete hailing from Haryana, Kiran breached the entry qualifying standard (50.95 seconds) in the women’s 400m for the Paris 2024 Olympics to make the cut for the mega event.
Furthermore, Kiran Pahal also surpassed Hima Das’ previous Inter-State Athletics Athletics Meet timing of 51.13 seconds, achieved in June 2021.
Earlier, in the qualification rounds, Kiran had clocked 52.33 seconds to make it to the semi-finals. Her previous personal best was 51.84 seconds achieved during the Haryana State Championships in 2022.
The four-day National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana is the last Paris Olympics 2024 qualifying campaign for Indian track and field athletes. The International Olympic Committee has set Sunday, June 30, as the final date for Paris 2024 qualification.
Fans took to X (Formerly Twitter) to react to Kiran Pahal’s record-breaking performance
"Athletics, Interstates: WELL WELL! KIRAN PAHAL STUNS AGAIN.. SHE'S QUALIFIED FOR THE #Paris2024 OLYMPICS!!! MAN OH MAN! THIS IS INSANELY GREAT RUNNING FROM THE HARYANA GIRL.. SHE BECOMES THE 2ND FASTEST INDIAN EVER WITH 50.92s.. Well done Kiran.. 👏🇮🇳 PS: Fingers crossed," a fan wrote.
"Congratulations to Kiran Pahal for surpassing the entry standard for the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women's 400m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships! Clocking 50.92s, she’s all set for Paris. Best of luck," Praful Patel wrote.
"Kiran Pahal blazes the track with a sensational 50.92s and dips under Paris Olympics qualification mark of 50.95 in 400m. " It's the biggest day of my career. It has been a long struggle to come this far. I hope AFI considers me for relay teams as well," Avishek Roy wrote.
"I hope Kiran Pahal is clean. I need nothing more," a fan named Ankhi Dutta wrote.
"Excellent timing from Kiran Pahal as she clocks 50.92 seconds to take the top spot in women's 400m SFs. This is also the fastest time clocked this season," M Sudarshan wrote.
"Well well well, who would have given a thought for this... Kiran Pahal runs 400m in 50.92s and qualifies for #ParisOlympics2024 . Insane run by her , she should definitely be included for women's relay team as well," Vishal Jain wrote.
"Afternoon you hear her name kiran pahal for first time in life, by evening she qualifies for paris olympics and becomes second fastest indian ever in her event 400m, thats crazy," another user wrote.
Kiran Pahal is eyeing a spot in the Paris 2024 relay team
It’s worth noting that the Indian men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams have already bagged their Paris Olympics 2024 quotas. However, AFI is racing against time to secure the mixed relay event quota.
AFI has the rule of picking only national campers for the relays. However, Kiran is eager to be a part of the 4x400 team if AFI gives her the permission.
Notably, Kiran also emerged as the first Indian quarter-miler to qualify for the Games after a gap of eight years since Nirmal Sheoran from Haryana in the Rio Olympics in 2016.