Niharika Vashisht

Indian Triple Jump Champion & Digital Pioneer

Athletic Profile

Niharika Vashisht is one of India’s premier track and field athletes, specializing in the triple jump with additional expertise in long jump. Currently ranked #88 in women’s triple jump globally by World Athletics, she has established herself as a dominant force in Indian athletics through consistent performances and record-breaking achievements.

Track and Field Accomplishments

Personal Records

• Triple Jump: 13.58m (May 11, 2025) – Personal Best
• Long Jump: 5.88m (January 2, 2020)

Major Championships & Medals

2025 Season Highlights:

• Gold Medal – National Federation Senior Athletics Championship, Kochi (April 2025)
  • Won with a stunning 13.49m jump in her final attempt
  • Defeated Kerala’s Sandra Babu by just 1 centimeter in a thrilling competition
• Bronze Medal – World Athletics Continental Cup – Challengers Series (2025)
  • Achieved a new personal best performance
• Gold Medal – 38th National Games, Dehradun (February 2025)
  • Jumped 13.37m to secure victory for Punjab
  • First medal after recovering from a knee injury

Previous Achievements:

• 2019 Summer Universiade – Represented India at the World University Games in Naples, Italy
• 2016 – Set Punjab University Annual Athletics Meet record with 12.36m, breaking a 14-year-old record
• Multiple national medals in triple jump competitions
• Competed at international level representing Punjab University

Educational Background

Niharika has successfully balanced her athletic career with academic excellence:

• Master’s Degree: M.A. in English Literature from DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh
• Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from GGDSD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh
• Her educational background in literature reflects her intellectual depth beyond athletics

Career Innovation & Financial Independence

What sets Niharika apart is her pioneering approach to sustaining her athletic career:

Self-Funded Athlete: Unlike many athletes who rely on government support or sponsorships, Niharika has created a self-sustaining career model through:

• Strategic social media content creation
• Brand collaborations and partnerships
• Digital content projects
• Television commercials (including one with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar)

Social Media Success:

• Over 259,000 followers on Instagram (@niharika.vashhisht)
• Creates a blend of athletic updates, lifestyle content, and motivational posts
• Uses her platform to fund training, equipment, and competition expenses
• Takes on 1-2 brand projects monthly, carefully balancing commercial work with training

Training Philosophy & Technical Evolution

Niharika’s recent success stems from significant technical improvements:

• Completely revamped her run-up technique
• Intensified speed training
• Focus on explosive strength development
• Successfully recovered from an ACL injury, coming back stronger than before
• Practices meditation and breathing exercises for mental preparation

Her training routine includes:

• Morning sessions starting at 6 AM
• Alternating between gym and track sessions
• Emphasis on recovery with afternoon rest periods
• Evening training sessions around 5 PM

Personal Interests & Values

Beyond the track, Niharika embodies a well-rounded personality:

• Reading: An avid reader, leveraging her literature background
• Mental Wellness: Practices daily meditation and yoga
• Content Creation: Balances athletic training with creative digital projects
• Breaking Stereotypes: Challenges conventional images of female athletes in India
• Family Values: Deeply grateful to her supportive family, especially her father who left his private sector job to support her dreams

Career Aspirations

Looking ahead, Niharika has set ambitious goals:

• Primary Target: Represent India at major international championships
• Asian Games: Focused on qualifying and medaling at future Asian Games
• Commonwealth Games: Aiming for podium finishes
• Long-term Vision: Continue competing at the highest level while inspiring the next generation of Indian athletes

Philosophy & Impact

Niharika believes in:

• “Defying conventionality” in both athletics and life
• Creating opportunities rather than waiting for them
• Setting examples for upcoming athletes
• Proving that modern Indian athletes can be self-made and self-sufficient

Her Instagram bio captures her spirit perfectly: “To the Unsettled Dreams and a Little Achieved 🪽”

Family Support

Behind Niharika’s success is a supportive family:

• Father: Ram Kumar Vashisht – Left his private sector job a decade ago to support her athletic dreams
• Mother: Teacher at Government Senior Secondary School in Gharuan, near Mohali
• Proudly notes that she no longer needs financial support from her parents, having achieved financial independence through her innovative career approach

Recognition & Media Presence

• Featured in numerous sports publications and media outlets
• Podcast appearances including “Leap of Faith” by SportsySays
• Case studies written about her innovative funding model
• Recognized as a role model for female athletes in India

Current Status

As of 2025, Niharika continues to train and compete at the highest levels of Indian athletics while maintaining her digital presence and inspiring thousands of young athletes across the country. Her unique blend of athletic excellence, educational achievement, and entrepreneurial spirit makes her a standout figure in Indian sports.

“I’ve strapped myself into the seat and I’m super excited to see where life takes me because we’re just getting started.” – Niharika Vashisht

Go Niharika!