Kiran Pahal is a upcoming Indian from India who is currently making headlines for her impressive performance at the 63rd National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship. Read on to learn more about Kiran Pahal and her accomplishments. The sprinter reached the semifinals of the women’s 400-meter race in an impressive time of 50.92 seconds. Kiran not only achieved a personal best, but he also surpassed the 50.95-second qualifying mark for the Paris Olympics in 2024. She is also the second Indian woman to finish in under 51 seconds, joining Hima Das.
Kiran Pahal Biography
Kiran ran an impressive 51.84 seconds to win the gold medal in the 400-meter race at the Inter-State Athletics in 2022, just one month after her father passed away. Kiran Pahal is an upcoming sprinter from India who comes from Ganaur, a small village in the Sonepat district of Haryana. She is just 24 years old, but her family struggled financially as she was growing up in poverty. Om Prakash, her munshi father, was the sole breadwinner of the family and worked at a Tehsil court. Nonetheless, he unfortunately died in 2022 following a long fight with a lung issue. Maya Devi, her mother, is a stay-at-home mom.
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Early Life
The humble village of Ganaur in the Sonepat district of Haryana marked the beginning of Kiran’s journey. Her family had a lot of financial difficulties as she was growing up in extreme poverty. Om Prakash was the sole breadwinner until his death in 2022 after a prolonged battle with a lung condition. He worked as a munshi at a Tehsil court. Maya Devi, her homemaker mother, attempted to support the family as best she could, but the financial constraints were overwhelming.
Overcoming Adversity
She won the gold medal in the 400-meter race at the Inter-State Athletics in 2022 with a time of 51.84 seconds, just a month after her father passed away. When Kiran decided to pursue athletics, she faced social opposition because she was the youngest of three siblings. Her father remained her support despite the financial difficulties and societal norms that discouraged her ambitions. Kiran recalls, “My father always believed in me.” “He encouraged me to pursue my dreams even when everyone else in the village said a girl shouldn’t run.”
Financial Struggles & Determination
Kiran frequently lacked essential training resources due to financial struggles. She was forced to make do without shoes and proper clothing. However, her dedication to sports never wavered. While working for Indian Railways, she only made around Rs. 25,000 per month, and the majority of that money went toward supporting her family. Her inability to pay for essential athletic equipment frequently exemplified her financial strains.
Kiran Pahal & Hima Das share a great bond
Pahal, a Haryana native, mentioned that she has a close relationship with Hima Das, also known as Dhing Express. Additionally, Pahal disclosed Das’ financial support for her. The sprinter from Assam assisted Pahal in acquiring various items, including supplements, shoes, spikes, and kits. Kiran received a lot of support from fellow athlete Hima Das all the way through her journey. “Hima di provided me with her kit, including spikes, shoes, and even financial support. With gratitude, Kiran says, “She has been like a sister to me.
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Remarkable Performance & Future Prospects
She finished far ahead of her competitors in Panchkula, where she won. With a time of 53.44 seconds, Gujarat’s Devy Aniba Zala took second place, and Kerala’s Sneha K came in third with a time of 53.51 seconds. When asked if she thought she would break the requirement, Kiran confidently responded, “If everyone can do it, why can’t I?” In 2017, I won a medal as a junior on a blue track that was similar to it. I ran this time with the mindset that this would be my last race.”
Recent Competitions & Injury Challenges
Eight months ago, she competed in the 62nd National Open Athletics Championships in Bengaluru, where she finished in 56.03 seconds. This was her last competition before the 63rd National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship. Her recovery after the gap is nothing short of miraculous. Kiran gave the performance of a lifetime, despite battling a hamstring injury that lasted for a long time. She told reporters after her semi-final race, “I was still in pain, but I knew I had to give it my all.”
Coaching & Training
Kiran made it to the national camp in 2019 and 2021 as part of her journey; however, she has recently been in and out of the camp due to injuries, inconsistent performances, and the financial situation of her family. Because of these interruptions, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) places a high priority on players from national camps to reduce the risk of doping. As a result, her chances of making the relay team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris are now in doubt. Kiran now trains under Ashish Singh Chhikara, having previously been coached by Rohtas Siwach. Due to doping scandals involving his athletes, Anjali Devi and Himani Chandel, Rohtas had a controversial past. In spite of these difficulties, Kiran has maintained her concentration on both her training and performance, and she intends to give her all once more in the finals.
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Kiran Pahal Four-Time National Champion
The quarter-miler had won three national titles before winning the title at the Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships. As a member of the 4x400m relay team at the 2019 Indian Open Championships in Ranchi, she won it for the first time. As a crucial member of the 4x400m relay team at the 2021 National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala, she won her second national title. At the 2022 National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Chennai, she won her third national title in the individual 400-meter race with a time of 52.47, which earned her the gold medal.