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| Human Interest | |
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Sport Specific Information | |
| Club / Team | Indian Railways: India |
General Interest | |
| Awards and honours | In 2021 she received the Padma Shri Award in India. (indianexpress.com, 29 Jan 2021) In 2016 she received the Yash Bharati Award in India. (dailypioneer.com, 22 Mar 2016) She participated in the Queen's Baton relay ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (glasgow2014.com, 10 Jul 2013) In 2012 she received the Arjuna Award from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India. (archive.indianexpress.com, 23 Aug 2012) She was presented with the Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji International Sports Awards in 2010 by the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in recognition of her performance at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. (news.bspindia.org, 02 Feb 2011) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Name of coach | Jaiveer Singh [national] |
Further Personal Information | |
| Occupation | Athlete, Railway Worker |
General Interest | |
| Other information | RETIREMENT PLAN She intends to retire after competing at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China, and plans to open an athletics academy in Rae Bareli, India. "I never think about my age while running and always try to draw inspiration from other ageing athletes who have won medals at the top level. Even before the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, I was discouraged by many because of my age but I proved my critics wrong and won a silver medal [in the 3000m steeplechase]. I have decided to give my best at both the Commonwealth Games in August and the Asian Games in September and would love to finish my career on a high. I would try to win a medal at the 2022 Asian Games and say goodbye to the sport." (hindustantimes.com, 14 Jan 2022, 13 Aug 2020) SWITCHING FOCUS After missing out on qualification in both marathon and 3000m steeplechase for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, she decided to focus solely to the 3000m steeplechase for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, and the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. "No more marathons now [speaking in early 2022]. I have decided to focus on my pet event the 3000m steeplechase. I could have qualified for the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics but I couldn't get proper preparation as I was able to attend only one marathon in India. Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 shattered all my plans and preparations. There has been a lot of change in my thinking since I have decided to run my favourite 3000m steeplechase event. I'm getting positive vibes. Getting good speed at the camp, not pushing too hard right now so that I can peak at the right time." (hindustantimes.com, 14 Jan 2022; sportskeeda.com, 15 Dec 2021, 17 Aug 2021) OCCUPATION She joined the Indian Railways under a sports quota programme that allows her to train and compete internationally. "After the [team] bronze in Asian Cross Country Championships in 2005, I got a job in Western Railways but after some time I got indications that I would have to keep winning medals if I wanted to continue the job. I did not want to lose the job which would have led to leaving athletics also. But after that I won gold in National Games in 2007 and national championships [in 2007, 2008, 2009] before claiming a silver in 2009 Asian Championships. After that there was no fear of losing my job." (indianexpress.com, 29 Jan 2021; hindustantimes.com, 03 Oct 2018) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Why this sport? | She competed in distance running events before she was convinced her to try steeplechase. "Madhu Shivdutt, my railway officer introduced me to steeplechase. Interestingly, she told me that the category and sport I was pursuing already had seniors excelling in it, whereas no one was looking towards steeplechase. So, she insisted that I should choose it and I went for it on her advice." |
General Interest | |
| Most influential person in career | Her family. (Athlete, 13 Sep 2014) |
| Hero / Idol | Indian sprinter P T Usha. (Athlete, 13 Sep 2014) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| When and where did you begin this sport? | She took up athletics at age 13, and began competing in 2003 at a sports college in Lucknow, India. |
Further Personal Information | |
| Languages | English, Hindi |
General Interest | |
| Ambitions | To win medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, and the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. (hindustantimes.com, 14 Jan 2022) |
Further Personal Information | |
| Residence | Rae Bareli, IND |
General Interest | |
| Injuries | A stress injury to her thigh area kept her out of action during the second part of the 2019 season. (olympicchannel.com, 19 Jan 2020) |
| Milestones | She became the first Indian female athlete to win gold in the 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Games when she claimed victory at the 2010 Games in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. She was also the first Indian athlete to compete in the 3000m steeplechase at the Olympic Games, following her appearance in the event at the 2012 Games in London. (SportsDeskOnline, 22 May 2018; indianexpress.com, 09 Jun 2012; ummid.com, 28 Dec 2010) |