The women’s 3000m steeplechase final at the Budapest Worlds will have a tinge of Indian flavour amid an imposing African presence. Meerut girl Parul Chaudhary will compete against long-distance running superstars Faith Cherotich, Beatrice Chepkoech and Jackline Chepkoech of Kenya, Sembo Almayew, Zerfe Wondemagegn and Lomi Muleta of Ethiopia and Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai in Budapest on Sunday.
Parul became only the second Indian female athlete to qualify for the final round of a track event at World Athletics Championships when she finished fifth in her 3000m steeplechase heat.
Before Parul, Lalita Babar — also a 3000m steeplechaser — held the record.
“She (Parul) has shown consistent progress in the last two years. High-altitude training in Colorado has improved her aerobic strength,” Parul’s coach Scott Simmons told TOI.
