Punjab Athlete Niharika Vashisht creates national record in Triple Jump
Sukhminder Bhangu
Ludhiana (Punjab), May 27, 2026: Punjab’s rising athletics star Niharika Vashisht has brought pride to the state by clinching the national title and setting a new national record in triple jump at the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Cup 2026 held in Ranchi.
Known as one of the most technical and demanding events in athletics, triple jump requires athletes to combine balance, speed, strength and precision across three phases of movement. Excelling in such an event is considered a major achievement in the sporting world.
Niharika delivered a remarkable performance by registering a jump of 13.64 metres, surpassing the previous national mark and securing the championship title. With this achievement, she has once again placed Punjab on the national athletics map.
This marks her second consecutive major success at the national level. In 2025, she had won the national title with a jump of 13.37 metres. This year, she bettered her own performance to script a new chapter in Indian athletics.
A resident of Mohali, Niharika has represented India in several international competitions over the years. She had earlier won a bronze medal at an athletics meet in the United Arab Emirates, bringing laurels to the country.
Apart from athletics, Niharika is also associated with modelling and reportedly manages her sports training and professional expenses independently through her modelling work. Her journey reflects determination, discipline and self-reliance.
She is currently training under senior athletics coach Swaran Singh, whose guidance has played an important role in her development as an athlete.
Niharika’s achievement has been widely celebrated by sports lovers across Punjab, with many hailing her success as an inspiration for young athletes aiming to excel at the national and international level.