28 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Indian sprinter Harita Bhadra has added an Asian Games bronze medal in the women’s 200 metres to an already unusual sporting journey that combines elite athletics with an academic background in sports science and a handmade jewellery business.
The 23-year-old from Mumbai secured the medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, ending India’s eight-year wait for a women’s 200m podium finish at the continental Games.
Bronze in the 200 Metres
Bhadra’s medal came in a highly competitive women’s 200m final.
Her bronze added to India’s athletics medal haul and represented a significant milestone for Indian women’s sprinting, with the country having waited eight years for another Asian Games women’s 200m podium finish.
A Breakthrough Year
The Asian Games medal is the latest achievement in what has become a breakthrough year for Bhadra.
She has emerged as one of India’s leading female sprinters, building on strong performances across the 100m and 200m events.
Her progress has placed her increasingly among the country’s notable track-and-field athletes.
Sports Science Background
Bhadra’s sporting career is closely connected with her academic background.
She graduated from Loughborough University in the UK with a degree in Sports Science, Coaching and Physical Education.
Her understanding of training and performance therefore comes alongside her experience as an elite athlete.
A Jewellery Brand Away From Athletics
Outside the track, Bhadra runs a handmade jewellery brand, giving her career another dimension beyond competitive sport.
The business reflects a creative side that contrasts with the highly structured demands of sprint training and competition.
From School Race to International Podium
Bhadra’s journey began at a school sports day in Vikhroli, Mumbai, where a physical-education teacher noticed her speed.
That early recognition eventually led her into competitive athletics and, years later, to international competition at the Asian Games.
A Year Focused on Athletics
After completing her studies, Bhadra made a significant decision to devote a year primarily to athletics.
That focus coincided with a strong run of performances and helped her develop into one of India’s fastest female sprinters.
National-Level Sprint Credentials
Bhadra has already produced strong times across the sprint distances.
Her performances include a 7.32-second national indoor 60m title, a 23.14-second 200m and an 11.22-second 100m, according to reports tracking her rise.
More Than One Career Path
Bhadra’s story stands out because her identity is not limited to athletics.
Her sports-science education provides an academic foundation for understanding training and performance, while her jewellery business gives her an entrepreneurial and creative outlet.
Asian Games Medal Adds Another Milestone
The bronze medal now becomes another important entry in her growing sporting record.
For Indian athletics, her performance also adds depth to the country’s women’s sprinting programme and provides another athlete capable of competing at major international events.
A Sprinter to Watch
At 23, Bhadra remains in an important phase of her athletic career.
Her combination of sprinting ability, sports-science education and entrepreneurship has made her journey distinctive, while the Asian Games medal gives her another major international achievement to build on.