Sudipti Hajela is an equestrian who was part of the Indian team (quartet) that bagged a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Sudipti Hejala was born on Friday, 10 May 2002 (age 21 years; as of 2023) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her zodiac sign is Taurus. She completed her schooling at Daly College, Indore. She lives in Paris, France.
Sudipti at her alma mater
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Sudipti Hajela’s father, Mukesh Hajela, is an Indore-based businessman.
Sudipti Hajela’s father
Her mother’s name is Sonia Hajela. She has an elder sister named Vidhi Hajela.
Sudipti Hajela’s sister
Career
Sudipti Hajela started riding when she was six years old. She was initially trained at a training centre in Delhi, and she later received training abroad. In 2018, she won the AEF (Asian Equestrian Federation) Dressage Qualifier held in Jaipur, India, in the U21 category.
Sudipti Hajela shared a message after winning the AEF Dressage Qualifier on Instagram
On 4 November 2018, she participated in the 2018 FEI World Dressage Challenge in New Delhi, India. In December 2018, she participated in the Junior National Equestrian Championship held in Kolkata and bagged a gold medal in the team event, and a bronze medal in the individual event.
Sudipti with the medals she won at the Junior National Equestrian Championship 2018
In April 2019, she won the Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF) U-21 Dressage Championship held in Doha, Qatar, and attained the 5th rank in the Asian continent.
Sudipti at the Asian Equestrian Federation Dressage Championship
In January 2021, she participated in the National Equestrian Championship Dressage 2020-2021 held at Army Polo and Riding Club, Brar Square, New Delhi, where she bagged 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medals in different events.
Sudipti Hajela shared a picture of her medals on Instagram
In December 2021, she competed in the PSG (Prix St George), held in Delhi, where she finished first, and Intermediate 1 in which she finished second. In 2023, she was a member of the team (quartet) that represented India at the 2022 Asian Games; Divyakriti Singh, Hriday Chheda, and Anush Agarwalla were the other members of the team (quartet). India bagged a gold medal for the first time ever in a team event in Equestrian Dressage, and it was also India’s first gold in Equestrian after 41 years. However, Hajela’s score was the lowest of the four Indian riders, and only the top three scores were taken into consideration. In an interview, while talking about her experience at the Asian Games, she said,
I think it’s nothing less than a wow moment for the four of us. It has been really good to have made history. Before coming to the games we were certain that if we give our best we will be on the podium. We did not know that it was going to be gold. It is difficult to express what I am feeling. It is the dream of every athlete to see the tricolour flag go up and have their national anthem played.”
Indian Equestrian team (Anush Agarwalla, Sudpiti Hajela, Divyakriti Singh, and Hriday Chheda, from left to right) at the 2022 Asian Games
Awards & Honours
- On 7 November 2017, she was honoured with the Ekalavya Award by the Government of Madhya Pradesh for her excellence in the field of Equestrian Dressage.
Sudipti Hajela with the Ekalavya Award
- In 2020, she was honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Award in the Sports category at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Sudipti with President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan
Facts/Trivia
- She first rode a horse when she was six years old at the insistence of her father and developed a passion for horse riding ever since.
- In 2013, she won a bronze medal at a national event, which was presented to her by Sourav Ganguly. It was her first national medal.
- She was the youngest team member at the 2022 Asian Games. The horse Chinski that she rode at the Asian Games had been her companion for two years.
- She is coached by Capt. Gulab Singh and Camillee Judet Cheret, a former French Olympian.
Sudipti with her coach Capt. Gulab Singh
- She has trained in various countries such as London, Portugal, and France.
- She was part of the 71st Republic Day Parade along with the other recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Award 2020.
Sudipti at the 71st Republic Day Parade
- According to her, a song that inspires her, and fills her with immense enthusiasm is the Hanuman Chalisa.
