Indian middle-distance star Pooja continued her remarkable season with another golden finish, this time at the 64th National Inter State Athletics Championships, where she claimed the women’s 1500m title in 4:10.68.
Her commanding run leading from the gun to the tape not only earned her the gold medal but also delivered the crucial ranking points that significantly strengthen her bid to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year. For Pooja, 2025 has been nothing short of career-defining. She has already climbed the podium at major international events winning gold at the Asian Championships, triumphing at a World Athletics Continental Tour meet, and adding silver and bronze medals across continental competitions.
Now, her Inter State victory consolidates her position as India’s top middle-distance runner. At a time when every race counts towards Olympic and World Championship qualification, Pooja’s ability to consistently deliver under pressure is what sets her apart.
“This was a race about execution,” said a national coach after the final.
“She knew exactly what timing she needed to post, and she stuck to the plan from start to finish. That discipline could make all the difference when the qualification list is finalized.”
Road to Tokyo: The Qualification Picture
World Athletics qualification for the 1500m is determined by a points-based ranking system, which factors in both timings and finishing positions across eligible meets. Going into the Inter States, Pooja was hovering just outside the qualification zone with 1151 points, ranked 55th globally. With 56 athletes set to qualify, she needed a top finish in Chennai combined with a sharp timing to secure her place.
- Current cutoff (55th place): 1166 points
- Pooja before Inter States: 1151 points
- Projected with gold and 4:10.68: 1185 points (average), moving her up to 47th in the rankings
Her Inter State performance gives her a boost of 1222 points (1122 base + 100 bonus for gold), lifting her comfortably above the qualification line. With the updated standings, Pooja is now well within the top 56, all but sealing her ticket to Tokyo. In simple terms, she has done what was required win, run a strong time, and improve her average.
The women’s 1500m final at the Inter States was always going to be about Pooja. With her sights firmly set on the World Championships, she wasted no time in stamping her authority on the race. Right from the gun, she surged ahead, dictating the pace and refusing to let the pack close in. Each lap was a display of controlled aggression, balancing energy conservation with the need to post a fast time. By the final 200m, the gold was hers, and the clock read 4:10.68 her third-fastest time of the season.
It was not just a victory, but a statement: Pooja is ready for the world stage.
A Season of Steady Improvement
Before this season, Pooja had shown promise but lacked the international breakthroughs that separate contenders from participants. That changed in 2025.
- Asian Championships: Gold, establishing herself as the region’s top 1500m runner.
- World Athletics Continental Tour: Gold, proving she can compete with a broader international field.
- Other Asian competitions: Silver and bronze, underscoring her consistency.
- National Inter States: Gold in 1500m with a strategic, qualification-driven performance.
Each performance has added to her ranking points, but more importantly, each has built her confidence.
India’s 1500m Landscape
The women’s 1500m has long been an event where Indian athletes show potential but rarely crack into the global elite. Pooja’s rise this year signals a shift. If she makes the cut for Tokyo, she will not just be a participant her season-best timings suggest she can realistically aim to reach the semifinals, an achievement that would boost India’s profile in middle-distance running. Pooja’s progression this year faster times, stronger finishes, and consistency across meets makes her one of the most credible Indian contenders in recent memory.
With her ranking leap to 47th, Pooja is now in a position where the focus shifts from “if she qualifies” to “how far she can go” once she’s there. The World Championships in Tokyo will bring together the fastest field of the year, with sub-4:00 runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, and the USA dominating the entries. For Pooja, the goal will be simple: run her personal best, gain invaluable experience, and carry the momentum forward into the Olympic cycle. At just 23, she represents the new generation of Indian athletes ready to take their place on the global stage.
The gold medal in Chennai is more than just another addition to Pooja’s growing collection it is the race that may have secured her entry into the World Championships in Tokyo. By clocking 4:10.68 and earning the ranking boost she needed, Pooja has shown both tactical intelligence and athletic excellence. Her journey this season, from continental medals to qualification pressure, reflects the resilience of an athlete who knows how to rise when it matters most.
If the rankings update as expected, Pooja will head to Tokyo as India’s new face in the women’s 1500m. And given the way she has handled every challenge so far, few would bet against her making an impact on the world stage.
Pooja’s golden run continues and the world is beginning to take notice.
