Gandhinagar, May 31: Gujarat’s rising sprint star, Kajal Waja, played a crucial role in securing a silver medal for India in the women’s 4×100 meter relay at the 22nd Asian Under-20 Athletics Championship held in Hong Kong on Sunday.
Representing India alongside Bhavna from Tamil Nadu, Aarti from Haryana, and Nipam from Uttar Pradesh, Kajal helped the team achieve an impressive time of 45.05 seconds, breaking the previous national under-20 record of 45.08 seconds.
With her exceptional work ethic, record-breaking performances, and an expanding list of international achievements, Kajal Waja is emerging as one of India’s most exciting young sprinters, elevating Gujarat’s sporting aspirations on a continental stage.
This 19-year-old’s achievement from Chorwad village in Junagadh district is even more inspiring given her humble background. Her father, Hirabhai Waja, works as a farmer in the coastal village of Chorwad. Despite financial challenges, Kajal remained focused on her athletics career.
Determined to perform her best on the track, Kajal took a year off after 12th grade to concentrate entirely on her training and competition preparation. Her uncle, Manthan Dabi, shared, “Kajal has had a tremendous passion for sports since her school days and consistently performed well in competitions.”
Her coach, Shivam Upadhyay, attributes this achievement to Kajal’s unwavering dedication to training and her strong desire to excel. He stated, “Kajal is one of the most promising young sprinters in the country. She has proudly represented Gujarat, winning multiple medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and relay events. Her discipline, confidence, and winning attitude set her apart. She participates wholeheartedly in every training session and always strives to improve her performance.”
Kajal’s silver medal in Hong Kong adds another significant achievement to her already impressive list. Previously, she won a silver medal in the 4×100 meter relay at the South Asian Senior Athletics Championship 2025 held in Ranchi. She also holds the national under-20 record in the 60-meter event.
In March of this year, Kajal won gold at the first Indoor Open Athletics Championship held in Bhubaneswar, where she set a new national record in the 60-meter sprint with a time of 7.50 seconds, further solidifying her reputation as one of India’s most promising sprinting talents.
Kajal Waja’s sporting journey began through the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) school program. In 2019, she enrolled in the District Level Sports School (DLSS) in Kodinar, where her talent was systematically nurtured. Recognizing her potential, she was selected for the High-Performance Center (HPC) in Nadiad in 2023, where she continues to receive advanced training and support.
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