Indian distance runner Parul Chaudhary opened her 2026 season with an impressive performance at the Shanghai Diamond League, narrowly missing her own national record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase by just 0.38 seconds.
Competing in a stacked international field, Parul finished seventh and produced one of the fastest performances of her career in the event. The timing underlined her growing consistency at the elite level and marked a strong start to a crucial international season.
The race was won by Peruth Chemutai of Uganda, who clocked a world-leading 8:51.47s to set a new meet record. Chemutai entered the competition as the Tokyo 2021 Olympic champion and reigning Diamond League champion and once again demonstrated why she remains among the world’s best steeplechasers.
The women’s 3000m steeplechase field also featured reigning world champion Faith Cherotich of Kenya and former world champion Norah Jeruto of Kazakhstan, making it one of the strongest fields of the season so far.
Chemutai owns a personal best of 8:48.03, while Cherotich has also dipped below the 8:49 mark, highlighting the quality of competition Parul faced in Shanghai.