'Last lap heroics'; Parul Chaudhary edges Japan athlete to win India's first-ever gold in women's 5000m

HANGZHOU: India is continuing its excellent gold hunt in the Asian games. On Tuesday, Parul Chaudhary with a breathtaking attempt won gold in the women’s 5000m race. Meanwhile, India’s Annu Rani created history winning gold in the women's javelin throw final at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. Malayali athlete Muhammad Afzal also won silver in the 800 meters. On the tenth day of the Asian Games, India won a total of 15 medals.

Parul clocked 15 minutes and 14 seconds to achieve the historic feat for India. India's best finish so far in the 5000m was a silver medal. It was during 1998 and 2010 that Sunitha Rani and Kerala athlete Preeja Sreedharan won India silver medals thus creating history for the country on track and field events.

Parul, who was far behind in the sixth position at the start, quickly moved up to the second position and overtook the Japanese player by a narrow margin in the last lap to clinch the gold. Meanwhile, Malayali Muhammad Afzal won the silver medal in the 800 meters with a time of 1 minute 48.43 seconds.

India has so far won 65 medals including 15 gold, 24 silver, and 26 bronze.