Niharika Vashisht Leaps Ahead in Life and Sports From Mohali to National Glory

Niharika Vashisht is a national gold medalist in the triple jump, a master’s graduate in English Literature, and a social media content creator with over 2.4 lakh Instagram followers. Hailing from Mohali, she has built a self-sustained athletic career by funding her training through brand collaborations and digital content projects without relying on government support or sponsorship.

National Federation Senior Athletics Championship 2025

In April 2025, at the National Federation Senior Athletics Championship held at Maharaja’s College Stadium, Kochi, Niharika stunned audiences and experts alike by leaping 13.49m in her final attempt. With this personal best, she edged past Kerala’s Sandra Babu by just 1 cm to take home the gold.

This win was not just another medal, it was a symbol of her self-made journey. Just last year at the 27th National Federation Senior Athletics Competition in Bhubaneswar, she missed a medal by 0.01m, jumping 13.07m. The improvement in just one year shows the kind of transformation she’s undergone.

Training Funded by Social Media? Yes, Really.

While many athletes wait for sponsorships or government aid, Niharika decided to rely on herself. She began creating content during the COVID-19 lockdown, and since then, her social media following has exploded. As of now, she has around 244K followers, and through brand collaborations and digital projects, she earns enough to:

• Fund her entire training schedule
• Purchase necessary athletic supplements
• Pay for travel and competition-related expenses

“If I had waited for government support, I wouldn’t be where I am today,”

Niharika Vashisht now takes on one or two projects monthly, just enough to fund her dreams without affecting her practice.

The Secret Behind Her Success: Speed and Strategy

Her recent gold-medal-winning jump was not a stroke of luck. It came from calculated changes. Niharika shared on social media that she completely changed her run-up technique and worked intensely on her speed. This new approach brought the edge she needed to surpass competitors and make her mark on the national level.

“Speed has been the key to my improvement,”

She says she is grateful to the team that helped fine-tune her movements.

A Family’s Belief

Behind Niharika’s rise is the quiet sacrifice of a loving family. Her father, Ram Kumar Vashisht, left his private sector job a decade ago to support her athletic dreams. Her mother continues to teach at the Govt Senior Secondary School in Gharuan, near Mohali. But now, Niharika proudly says she no longer needs financial help from her parents. Her earnings from content creation are enough to take care of herself. She hasn’t had to trouble her parents for my training for the last few years.

Not Just an Athlete: A Scholar and Creator

In addition to being a full-time athlete, Niharika holds a Master’s degree in English Literature. She’s also worked with renowned brands for digital campaigns and television commercials (TVCs). Her education, athleticism, and creativity make her a rare and inspiring figure.

Instagram – Niharika’s Other Playground

Her Instagram feed mixes athletic updates, lifestyle posts, and motivational snippets. She has become a role model for young girls who want to chase sports and studies without giving up on either. Her story is a blueprint for the next generation of athletes, not just training hard but also building their own brand.

Winning is More Than Just a Medal for Her

Niharika Vashisht is not waiting around for anyone to write her story. She’s doing it herself, on the field, screen, and the gram. With a gold medal around her neck and a growing digital community backing her, she’s proving that the modern Indian athlete can be self-made, self-sufficient, and truly unstoppable.

Stay tuned to The Reelstars for such Interesting and inspiring stories.