In the quiet, mist-wrapped Himalayan village of Maroda in Uttarakhand, it would have been hard to imagine that a young girl running alongside local boys on the hilly trails would one day bring global recognition to Indian athletics. Yet, that is exactly what Ankita Dhyani, now 23, has done.
From her roots in Garhwal to clinching a historic silver medal at the FISU World University Games 2025 in the 3000m steeplechase, Ankita’s story is one of grit, evolution, and quiet determination.
A Journey Forged in Altitude and Adaptation
Born in 2002, Ankita grew up training at approximately 1400 meters above sea level, a natural advantage for an endurance runner. But altitude alone didn’t make her a champion; it was the combination of rugged training, often with boys older and stronger, and an unwavering internal drive. Initially a sprinter, Ankita won gold in the 200m at the 2018 Youth Nationals. Her natural speed would later become her trademark a ferocious final lap kick that has now become familiar to athletics followers.
Soon, she found her true calling in longer distances. At the 2019 and 2020 Khelo India Youth Games, Ankita won double gold in the 1500m and 5000m, signaling that a bigger stage awaited her. By 2021, at just 19, she smashed a 23-year-old Junior National record in the 5000m, clocking 16:21.19. It was not merely the breaking of a record; it was the emergence of a fearless athlete willing to test her limits.
From Paris to Rhine-Ruhr: Learning, Adapting, Succeeding
A significant moment in Ankita’s career was her qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s 5000m through the world ranking quota. Though she finished 20th in her heat and missed the final, the experience was invaluable. Competing against the world’s elite runners exposed her to the intensity and tactics at the very highest level. The gap was clear the Olympic qualifying mark stood at a daunting 14:52, a full 40 seconds quicker than her personal best at the time.
Rather than see this as defeat, Ankita used it as fuel. Guided by coach Scott Simmons known for his work with Indian athletes like Avinash Sable she spent crucial months training in Colorado Springs, focusing on building endurance and refining technique.
That decision would prove pivotal. In late 2024, Ankita took on the 3000m steeplechase, a technically challenging event demanding not just endurance but rhythm and courage over barriers and water jumps. What began as an experiment turned into a revelation. In under a year, she went from an introductory race to nearly winning gold at the World University Games.
At Rhine-Ruhr 2025, Ankita produced the race of her career. Clocking 9:31.99, she slashed seven seconds off her previous personal best. It was not just the time that impressed, but the way she raced staying composed, biding her time, and launching a powerful sprint over the final 300 meters that almost caught gold medallist Ilona Mononen of Finland. The difference? A mere 0.13 seconds.
This wasn’t a one-off. Ankita had shown a steady progression in the steeplechase: 10:17.25 at the India Open U-23 Championships, then 9:39.00 in Iowa, before the Rhine-Ruhr breakthrough. Each race was a step forward, built on years of disciplined mileage and mental toughness honed in the mountains of Uttarakhand.
The Training Ethos: More Than Just Running
For Ankita, athletics isn’t simply a sport; it’s a way of life. This philosophy is evident in her approach. She trains with a mix of altitude running in Uttarakhand and structured sessions abroad. The months spent in the U.S. indoor season provided exposure to world-class facilities and competition, while her time in India kept her rooted in the grit that shaped her early career.
Her coach’s emphasis on race strategy, obstacle technique, and conditioning has transformed her from a promising distance runner into a genuine steeplechase contender. The steeplechase is as mental as it is physical; each barrier can test concentration, each water jump can cost seconds if misjudged. Ankita’s calm yet fierce racing style holding back when needed and attacking decisively is becoming her signature.
Why the Steeplechase? A Tactical Move for a Crowded Field
Indian women’s long-distance running is improving, but the global 5000m field remains fiercely competitive. The Olympic standard, the depth of talent, and tactical racing can make medals elusive. The steeplechase, though equally demanding, presents a slightly clearer path. Fewer Asian competitors specialize in it, and historically, India has had limited representation something Ankita is changing.
Her silver at the World University Games wasn’t just a personal triumph; it marked India’s arrival in a discipline often dominated by Europeans and East Africans. The result is already inspiring younger athletes and drawing attention from sports authorities who might have overlooked the event previously.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Ankita’s improvement in the 3000m steeplechase has been meteoric:
- April 2025: 9:39.00 in Iowa
- July 2025: 9:31.99 at the World University Games final (silver medal)
- Margin to gold: Only 0.13 seconds
In the 5000m, her personal best stands at 15:33.03, set at the 2023 Asian Games, where she finished a commendable fifth.
Ankita Dhyani’s Silver Sprint: A Historic Evening at the World University Games 2025
The shift from 5000m to the steeplechase doesn’t mean she’ll abandon the longer race, but it signals a pragmatic choice: play to her strengths, use her finishing speed, and compete where the path to medals may be less crowded.
Beyond the Track: The Inspiration of a Mountain Girl
Ankita’s journey from Maroda where even running as a girl was unusual to global finals is a powerful narrative of persistence. Her success is reshaping perceptions in her village and beyond, showing young girls that world-class dreams are possible, regardless of background.
Off the track, Ankita remains humble, often crediting her family, coaches, and teammates. She describes athletics as a “way of life,” a philosophy that keeps her grounded through victories and setbacks alike.
With the next World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, Ankita Dhyani’s story is far from complete. The coming years will test her adaptability, consistency, and her ability to convert promise into podium finishes at senior global events.
Yet, if her journey so far from sprinting gold at the Youth Nationals to almost clinching world university gold in steeplechase is any indicator, Ankita Dhyani is not just running races; she’s redefining what is possible for Indian distance running.
In the words of those who know her best: watch out the best chapters of Ankita’s career are still being written.
