Indian middle-distance runner Ankita Dhyani added another milestone to her growing career by winning the women’s 2000m steeplechase at the Grand Slam Jerusalem Meeting, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-level event, with a national best time of 6:13.92.
The performance not only earned her the top spot in a competitive international field but also improved upon the previous Indian mark of 6:14.38 set by Parul Chaudhary, underlining Ankita’s steady rise on the Asian and global athletics stage.
The Grand Slam Jerusalem is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour (Category B), attracting quality middle- and long-distance fields from across the world. For Ankita, the event presented an opportunity to test herself against strong opponents, earn valuable World Championships qualification points, and fine-tune her preparations for upcoming challenges.
The race unfolded at a measured pace in the opening laps, with Ankita positioning herself smartly in the leading group. As the tempo increased midway, her stride remained composed and efficient. In the final 600 metres, she surged decisively, opening a clear gap over the chasers. Crossing the finish line in 6:13.92, she shaved nearly half a second off Parul Chaudhary’s previous national best of 6:14.38, set during her own impressive career phase.
While the 2000m steeplechase is not a standard championship event its longer counterpart, the 3000m steeplechase, features in the Olympics and World Championships—it is often used in Continental Tour meets to provide competitive opportunities and assess mid-season form. Performances in this distance can still impact athlete rankings in relevant disciplines through points systems, particularly when achieved in high-category meets.
For Ankita, the national best holds symbolic and strategic value. Symbolically, it demonstrates her ability to challenge and surpass marks set by some of India’s top distance runners. Strategically, it strengthens her world ranking points tally, which plays a role in her pathway towards qualifying for global championships in her main events.
From National Promise to International Podiums
Ankita’s rise in Indian athletics has been steady and determined. Known for her versatility across distances, she has already secured medals at the Universiade and Asian Championships, showcasing her ability to adapt to different race demands. Over the past two seasons, she has transitioned from being a promising junior to a consistent senior-level performer, recording competitive times in both flat distance races and the steeplechase.
Her success in Jerusalem is another step forward in her international profile. Competing and winning at a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event places her among a growing pool of Indian athletes who are no longer content with domestic dominance alone but are seeking and securing results abroad.
The timing of this victory is crucial. With the World Championships qualification process placing significant weight on global ranking points, every performance in a high-category meet matters. The Continental Tour Silver status of the Jerusalem meeting ensures that her win carries a meaningful boost to her ranking. This could prove decisive in securing a berth for the World Championships, especially in the tightly contested middle-distance events.
Beyond rankings, the race also offered competitive sharpness. Facing an international field in conditions different from those at home, Ankita was tested on race pacing, obstacle clearance under pressure, and tactical positioning skills essential for success in the 3000m steeplechase, where the stakes are higher, and the margins finer.
Ankita’s record-breaking run is part of a broader positive narrative for Indian distance running. Over the past few years, athletes like Parul Chaudhary, Avinash Sable, and now Ankita Dhyani have been pushing national records lower and challenging established continental leaders. Improved training methodologies, exposure to international competition, and targeted participation in ranking events have been instrumental in this progress. The women’s steeplechase, in particular, is seeing increasing depth in India. With multiple athletes clocking competitive times across the 2000m and 3000m formats, the event is developing a healthy internal rivalry that pushes standards higher.
Behind Ankita’s success is a disciplined training regime and close coordination with her coaching team. Preparation for steeplechase events demands a combination of endurance, speed, technical skill over barriers and water jumps, and mental resilience. Her ability to execute a well-paced race in Jerusalem speaks to the quality of her preparation and the trust between athlete and coach.
With the Grand Slam Jerusalem title and national best under her belt, Ankita’s next focus will be on sustaining this form through the rest of the season. Her performance also raises the possibility of a strong showing in upcoming continental meets and potentially on the global stage. If she can continue to accumulate ranking points and maintain her progression curve, Ankita could be one of India’s strongest middle-distance hopes in the next Olympic cycle.
Ankita Dhyani’s 6:13.92 in the 2000m steeplechase at the Grand Slam Jerusalem Meeting is more than just a national best—it’s a statement of intent. It reflects her readiness to compete internationally, her growing stature in Indian athletics, and the positive direction in which the nation’s middle-distance programme is heading. As she builds towards the World Championships, this performance will stand as a confidence booster and a benchmark for what’s possible when talent, preparation, and opportunity align.
In a season where every race counts, Ankita has delivered when it mattered, rewriting the record books and reminding the athletics community that India’s next generation of distance runners is ready to take its place on the world stage.
