Hangzhou, China, October 3, 2023: India’s Parul Chaudhary ran smart and magnificently to win the gold medal in the women’s 5000 metres at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Tuesday.
Chaudhary pulled off a stunning victory when she overhauled Japan’s Ririka Hironaka with just 20 metres to go, slipping past her opponent on the inside, to win a remarkable gold medal.
“My thinking was good. My mind was prepared for a gold medal,” said Chaudhary after her late burst saw her take the gold out of Hironaka’s hands with a time of 15 minutes 14.75 seconds.
Hironaka, who had led for most of the race, had to settle for silver in 15:15.34 while Kazakhstan's Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui took the bronze in 15:23.12.
The 28-year-old Chaudhary proved she not only has endurance, but also an analytical brain, as she refused to buckle under the pressure from the Japanese who seemed to have the gold medal in her sights, only to see it snatched away at the end.
Having won the silver medal in the women’s 3000m steeplechase just the day before, the Indian long-distance specialist showed no signs of fatigue as she kept pace with Hironaka throughout. And then astutely took the inside track to slip past her opponent for gold.
“I did a good job. I was thinking of my first gold medal after I won the silver yesterday. My time was good, 15:14, but I only had three hours of sleep last night, and despite that, my recovery was good. I am so pleased,” Chaudhary commented.
“I dedicate this medal to my country and to my family. My family and the Sports Authority of India have supported me in athletics right along and I’m very grateful for this support,” Chaudhary added.
Hironaka was left to reflect on a race she almost won. “I wanted to hear the Japanese anthem and I’m sad this didn’t happen. I was supposed to get the gold medal in this race, but I couldn’t do it.”
There was more joy for India later in the evening when Annu Rani won the women’s javelin with a throw of 62.92m. Sri Lanka’s Nadeesha Dilhan gave the island nation its first medal in athletics in Hangzhou by winning the silver medal with a 61.57. China’s Lyu Huihui took bronze with 61.29.
The two gold medals took India’s tally in athletics to four, following Tajinderpal Singh Toor’s gold in the men’s shot put and Avinash Mukund Sable’s in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
*Uzbekistan won its first gold medal in athletics in Hangzhou through Safina Sadullayeva in the women’s high jump with a leap of 1.86m. Compatriot Svetlana Radzivil, who was attempting to win her fourth successive Asian Games title, also finished with 1.86, but had to settle for silver as Sadullayeva had a clean slate all night on all heights. Kazakh Nadezhda Dubovitskaya also finished on 1.86 and had to settle for bronze.
*Saudi Arabia’s Essa Ali Kzwani won the men’s 800m in 1:48.05, ahead of India’s Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalakath and Oman’s Mohsin Husain Al Farsi.
*China’s juggernaut added two more golds – to take the country’s gold tally to 159 - through Zhu Yaming in the men’s triple jump and Sun Qihao in the decathlon.