On May 17, 2025, Parul Chaudhary made headlines by setting a new national record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Doha Diamond League. She finished sixth with a time of 9:13.39, earning her a spot in the 2025 World Championships. Parul Chaudhary is an Indian athlete who has inspired millions with her hard work and talent. She specializes in long-distance running, especially the 5000m and 3000m steeplechase. Her story is one of determination, courage, and breaking barriers. From running barefoot in a small village to competing at the Paris Olympics 2024, Parul’s journey is truly remarkable. This article tells her complete biography in simple words, focusing on her life, struggles, and achievements.
Early Life and Family
Parul Chaudhary was born on April 15, 1995, in Iklauta village near Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. She grew up in a simple family. Her father, Krishanpal Chaudhary, is a farmer. Her mother, Rajesh Devi, is a homemaker. Parul has three siblings: an elder brother named Rahul Diwan, a younger sister named Preeti, and another brother. The family belongs to the Jat community, specifically the Jhajj gotra. Life in Iklauta was not easy. The village had few facilities, and Parul’s family faced financial challenges. Yet, her parents always supported her dreams.
As a child, Parul was chubby and heavy. Her mother once said she was difficult to carry. But running changed her life. Parul did not plan to become an athlete. She started running because of her father’s suggestion. In 2011, when she was 16, her father asked her to join a school race. It was an 800m race. Parul had no training or preparation. She ran barefoot because she had no sports shoes. To everyone’s surprise, she did well. This small race sparked her love for running. She began to take athletics seriously.
Education Background
Parul studied in a local school in Iklauta. Later, she and her sister Preeti joined BP Inter College in Bharal village for classes 10 to 12. Parul was a good student. She completed her graduation from Meerut College. After that, she moved to Patiala for training and became a topper in her course. Her education gave her confidence, but running became her passion. She trained hard, often with her sister Preeti. The sisters shared a friendly rivalry. They both won medals, but Parul usually came first. Preeti sometimes felt upset, but their bond stayed strong.
In the early days, Parul faced many challenges. She ran barefoot because her family could not afford proper shoes. The village had no proper sports facilities. Parul trained on rough paths near sugarcane fields. She cycled 25 km daily to reach the Kailash Prakash Stadium in Meerut for practice. Neighbors often made negative comments. They said girls should not wear shorts or run. Some thought girls should marry early and stay home. But Parul’s father ignored these remarks. He believed in his daughters. Her mother also supported them, even when people criticized.
Parul Chaudhary Athlete Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Medals
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Parul Chaudhary |
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Iklauta village, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Family | Father: Krishanpal Chaudhary (Farmer) Mother: Rajesh Devi (Homemaker) Siblings: Rahul Diwan (Elder Brother), Preeti (Younger Sister), Another Brother |
| Community | Jat, Jhajj gotra |
| Education | School: Local school in Iklauta, BP Inter College (Bharal village) College: Meerut College (Graduation) Topper in course at Patiala |
| Profession | Athlete (Long-distance runner) Ticket Collector, Western Railway Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Uttar Pradesh (2023) |
| Sports Specialization | 5000m, 3000m Steeplechase |
| Early Life Challenges | Ran barefoot due to lack of shoes No sports facilities in village Cycled 25 km daily for training Faced societal criticism for running |
| Career Start | 2011, ran 800m race barefoot at school |
| Key Coaches | BK Bajpai, Gaurav Tyagi (Meerut) |
| Training Locations | Kailash Prakash Stadium (Meerut) National Camp (Patiala) Colorado Springs, USA |
| Major Achievements | 2019: PB in 5000m (15:36.03), Asian Athletics Championship 2022: Broke national record in 3000m (8:57.19), LA 2023: Gold in 3000m Steeplechase (9:38.76), Asian Athletics Championships, Bangkok 2023: National record in 3000m Steeplechase (9:15.31), World Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023: Gold in 5000m (15:14.75), Silver in 3000m Steeplechase, Hangzhou Asian Games 2024: Competed in Paris Olympics (5000m, 3000m Steeplechase) 2025: Set national record in 3000m Steeplechase (9:13.39), Doha Diamond League |
| Awards and Honors | Arjuna Award (2023) Laxmibai Award (2022, Uttar Pradesh) Aces Sportswoman of the Year (2024) Forbes India 30 under-30 (2024) |
| National Championships | Won 5 national titles |
| Asian Championships | Top 8 finishes (twice) |
| Olympic Participation | Paris Olympics 2024 (5000m, 3000m Steeplechase) |
| Personal Life | Lives in Mumbai (due to railway job) Loves reading literature and philosophy Not very active on social media |
| Social Media | Instagram: 29.6k followers Bio: “Athlete” |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | 2-3 million dollars (keeps financial details private) |
| Recent News (May 2025) | Set national record in 3000m Steeplechase (9:13.39) on May 17, 2025, at Doha Diamond League; qualified for 2025 World Championships |
| Inspiration | Overcame poverty, societal norms, and lack of facilities Role model for young athletes, especially girls |
Started Career
Parul’s career began with the 800m race. Soon, she switched to longer distances like 1500m and 3000m. By 2015, she focused on the 5000m and 3000m steeplechase. Her hard work paid off. In 2015, she got a job with Western Railway in Mumbai as a Ticket Collector. This job gave her financial stability. It also allowed her to focus on training. Parul moved to Mumbai, far from her village. She trained at a national camp in Patiala and later at a base in Colorado Springs, USA. Her coaches, BK Bajpai and Gaurav Tyagi, guided her at Meerut. They saw her potential and pushed her to improve.
Parul’s first big success came in 2019. She ran the 5000m at the Asian Athletics Championship with a personal best of 15:36.03. This made her a known name in Indian athletics. In 2022, she broke a national record in the women’s 3000m at the Sunset Tour in Los Angeles. Her time was 8:57.19, beating the previous record of 9:04.5. This was a historic moment. Parul became the first Indian woman to run the 3000m in under 9 minutes. She proved that Indian women could compete at the world level.
In 2023, Parul had her best year. In July, she won gold in the 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok. Her time was 9:38.76. In August, she set another national record at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She ran the 3000m steeplechase in 9:15.31. This performance qualified her for the Paris Olympics 2024. In October, Parul shone at the Hangzhou Asian Games. She won a gold medal in the 5000m with a time of 15:14.75. She also won a silver in the 3000m steeplechase. Her 5000m win was dramatic. In the final seconds, she overtook Japan’s Ririka Hironaka to claim gold. These medals made her a national hero.
Parul’s success continued in 2024. She competed at the Paris Olympics, representing India in the 3000m steeplechase and 5000m. Though she did not win a medal, her participation was a proud moment. She also won the Aces Sportswoman of the Year award in 2024. Forbes India named her in its 30 under-30 list. The Uttar Pradesh government honored her with the Laxmibai Award in 2022 and appointed her as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in 2023. She also received the Arjuna Award in 2023, one of India’s highest sports honors.
Parul’s personal life is simple. She lives in Mumbai because of her railway job. She stays connected with her family in Iklauta. Her parents are her biggest supporters. Parul is not very active on social media. She has an Instagram account with 29.6k followers, where she shares sports-related posts. Her bio simply says “Athlete.” Parul’s net worth is estimated to be around 2-3 million dollars, but she keeps her financial details private. She loves reading books, especially literature and philosophy. This shows her thoughtful side.
Parul’s journey is inspiring because she overcame many obstacles. In her village, girls were expected to marry young. Parul said that if she had stayed in Iklauta, she might have been married early. Running gave her freedom and a purpose. She wanted a government job to support her family. Her railway job and later DSP appointment fulfilled this dream. Parul’s story shows that talent and hard work can change lives, even in difficult circumstances.
Parul is also a role model for young athletes. She has won five national championships. She has been in the top eight at Asian Championships twice. Her records and medals inspire others to dream big. Parul trains hard to stay at her best. She uses innovative methods to improve her performance. Her focus is now on the 2025 World Championships. She wants to win more medals for India.
Parul Chaudhary’s life teaches us important lessons. She shows that hard work beats challenges. She proves that girls can achieve anything with support and courage. Her father’s belief in her changed her future. Her mother’s strength kept her going. Parul’s story is not just about running. It is about breaking stereotypes and chasing dreams. From a barefoot runner in sugarcane fields to an Olympic athlete, Parul has come a long way. She is a true champion of India.
In conclusion, Parul Chaudhary is a shining star in Indian athletics. Born on April 15, 1995, in a small village, she rose to fame through her talent and grit. Her achievements include national records, Asian Games medals, and Olympic participation. She faced poverty, lack of facilities, and societal judgment but never gave up. Her family, coaches, and railway job supported her journey. Today, she is an Arjuna Award winner and a DSP in Uttar Pradesh. Parul’s biography is a story of hope and success. She continues to run, aiming for more victories. India is proud of Parul Chaudhary, a girl who ran barefoot and reached the world stage.
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