Gujarat: Devyaniba Zala qualifies for 400 m race in Asian Games, family ecstatic
Rajkot, July 28
After the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games 2026, the Asian Games 2026 will commence in the Japanese city of Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.
Devyaniba Zala from Rajkot has scripted history by qualifying for the 400-meter race in the 2026 Asian Games.
She is the only female athlete from Gujarat participating in this event, making her achievement historic.
Hailing from Rajkot, Devyaniba not only won a bronze medal in the 400-meter race at the National Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar, clocking a time of 53.26 seconds, but also secured a spot in the 2026 Asian Games as the sole female athlete from the state.
A student at Saurashtra University, Devyaniba is overjoyed with this success and aspires to qualify for the Olympic Games in the future.
She credits her success to years of hard work, rigorous training, and discipline imbibed by her parents and tutors. The trust and support of her family also played a pivotal role in boosting her morale.
Devyaniba's father, Mahendra Singh Zala, told IANS that ever since she started running on the track, success has followed her.
He recalled that she had previously qualified for the World University Games and had brought glory to Gujarat and Saurashtra by winning a silver medal in the women's 400-meter race at the World Athletics Continental Tour.
Harish Raba, Sports Officer at Saurashtra University, Rajkot, said Devyaniba has become a source of inspiration for athletes across the state.
"We are now looking forward to her performance at the 2026 Asian Games. Thanks to state-of-the-art training, modern sports infrastructure, and pro-sports policies implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, athletes from the state are making their mark not only at the national level but also internationally, bringing glory to Gujarat on the global stage," he said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So proud to see an athlete from Gujarat shine on the global stage. But let's not forget the years of struggle and sacrifice behind this moment. Hope the government continues to support grassroots talent like her, not just at the university level but with long-term funding. Well done, Devyaniba!
Great to see Indian athletics growing. 53.26 seconds is a solid time for the 400m – with proper training and more exposure to international competitions, Devyaniba could definitely challenge for an Olympic spot. Best of luck to her at the Asian Games! 🌟
It's nice to read good news about sports for a change. The fact that she is the only female athlete from Gujarat in this event shows how much more work is needed to promote women's sports in the state. Devyaniba is breaking barriers – hope many more follow her path. 🙌
Impressive milestone for a student-athlete. Balancing studies at Saurashtra University with rigorous training isn't easy. I hope the university and state sports department give her full support – proper diet, physiotherapy, and international exposure will be key for the Asian Games. All the best!
As a fellow Gujarati, I am bursting with pride! 🥹 Devyaniba's story reminds me of Hima Das – both from humble beginnings but with immense talent. The mention of modern infrastructure is good, but let's ensure it reaches every village girl who wants to run. One suggestion: less politics in sports associations, more focus on athletes.
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