In a stunning display of power and precision, athlete Tanya Choudhary clinched the gold medal in women's hammer throw at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025, shattering her own national record in the process. The 23-year-old, representing Chandigarh University, achieved this remarkable feat at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Monday.
A Record-Breaking Throw and a Hat-Trick of Medals
Tanya Choudhary recorded a massive throw of 64.29 meters, which not only secured her the top podium finish but also eclipsed her previous All India University (AIU) mark. Her throw also bettered the existing Khelo India University Games (KIUG) meet record of 60.61 meters. This victory marks a hat-trick of medals for the determined thrower at this prestigious university-level event.
From Bagpat Farms to Asian Games: An Unlikely Journey
Choudhary's path to becoming a record-breaking hammer thrower is a tale of serendipity and grit. Hailing from a humble background in Bagpat, Uttar Pradesh, where her father is a farmer and mother a homemaker, her initial foray into athletics was far from the throwing circle. She first tried her hand at long-distance running, sprints, and the long jump.
It was only after the Covid-19 break, during her Class 12 year, that she discovered hammer throw. A school coach identified her raw potential, setting her on a new trajectory. She trained under coach Satinder Yadav for a year before moving to work with Sachin Yadav, who has guided her rise since.
Overcoming Hurdles and Seizing Opportunities
Her journey to the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where she finished seventh, was fraught with challenges. Choudhary recalls a major setback when she failed to qualify for the nationals from the state level, finishing third in a competition where only the top two could advance. A victory at the Federation Cup kept her hopes alive, but she still missed qualification on points.
Her breakthrough came through a late rule change that allowed a wild-card entry from her state. She grabbed this opportunity with both hands, ultimately earning her spot on the Asian Games team. The depth of talent in Uttar Pradesh's hammer throw circuit is evident, as all three podium finishers at the National Games in Dehradun had trained at her home ground in Bagpat.
Training Against All Odds
Choudhary's training regimen is a testament to her dedication, often conducted with limited resources. She practices on a school ground without a proper safety cage and uses a locally made hammer costing around Rs 4,000, a far cry from the standard equipment priced at about Rs 70,000.
Her weekly schedule is meticulously planned: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are dedicated to conditioning, running, and main throwing sessions. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays focus on weight training and technique refinement. She emphasizes that hammer throw is a highly technical event where power must be perfectly balanced with execution. "Anyone can run, but hammer is a technical event. Power matters as much as execution and balance," she states. Currently, she is working on maintaining a straighter back during her turns to eliminate a curve that pulls the hammer low.
Family Support and Future Goals
In her early years, her family shouldered the financial burden of her coaching and diet. A significant relief came in September 2022 when she received a scholarship from Indian Oil, which helped her better manage nutrition and training expenses.
A former school topper who once considered preparing for the UPSC examinations, Choudhary found her true calling in sport. As she sets her sights on her second Asian Games appearance, her ambition is clear and patriotic. "I want to return with a medal for the country," she declares.
Balancing academics with athletics, Tanya Choudhary is currently pursuing a Master of Physical Education (MPEd) at Chandigarh University. Her story continues to inspire, proving that with talent, hard work, and resilience, records are made to be broken.
