Aichi-Nagoya: Baranica Elangovan made history for Indian athletics by winning bronze in the women’s pole vault at the Asian Games, becoming the first Indian athlete, male or female, to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault.
Elangovan cleared 4.15m to secure her place on the podium in Aichi-Nagoya. She and Polina Ivanova both cleared the same height, but neither could clear the next bar at 4.25m. As a result, the two athletes shared the bronze medal.
The result marks a historic moment for Indian pole vault, an event in which no Indian athlete had previously won an Asian Games medal.
Baranica Elangovan Wins India’s First Asian Games Pole Vault Medal
Elangovan’s bronze medal adds another major milestone to a breakthrough year in her career.
Her achievement is particularly significant because India had never previously won an Asian Games medal in pole vault, in either the men’s or women’s event.
By clearing 4.15m, Elangovan secured a place on the podium alongside Ivanova. Both athletes attempted 4.25m but were unable to clear the height, leaving them tied for bronze.
The medal marks a landmark moment for Indian pole vault and establishes Elangovan as the first Indian athlete to reach the Asian Games podium in the discipline.
Elangovan Broke the National Record Earlier This Year
The Asian Games medal comes just months after Elangovan set a new Indian national record.
In March, at the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, she cleared 4.22m, improving on the previous national record of 4.21m held by P. Rosy Meena.
The jump marked another important step in the development of Indian women’s pole vault, with Elangovan establishing herself as the country’s leading performer in the event.
Breaking the national record had been a major target, but her season was about more than changing the mark in the record books. Her performances throughout the year built the momentum that eventually carried her to the Asian Games podium.
A Landmark Performance in Aichi-Nagoya
The pressure at the Asian Games was different from that of a national record attempt.
An Asian Games final requires athletes to produce the necessary height when the opportunity arises, and Elangovan cleared 4.15m to remain in medal contention alongside Ivanova.
Both athletes then attempted 4.25m but failed to clear it. With neither able to improve on 4.15m, they finished level and shared the bronze medal.
The result gave India its first-ever Asian Games medal in pole vault.
A Major Milestone for Indian Women’s Pole Vault
Elangovan’s rise has been rapid, with her national-record clearance of 4.22m in March already placing her among the significant performers in the history of Indian women’s pole vault.
Breaking Rosy Meena’s 4.21m record demonstrated her progress and gave her a new benchmark to pursue.
Now, she has added an Asian Games medal to her national record.
The significance of the result extends beyond the medal itself. Pole vault requires years of technical development, speed, strength and consistency. Elangovan’s progression has helped bring greater attention to an event that has traditionally received less focus within Indian athletics.
Her bronze in Aichi-Nagoya gives the discipline another major achievement and marks a first for India at the Asian Games.
From National Record Holder to Asian Games Medallist
For Elangovan, the progression from national-record holder to Asian Games medallist has happened within the same season.
She entered 2026 looking to establish herself at the highest level of Indian pole vault. She now leaves the Asian Games with a historic achievement.
Baranica Elangovan is the first Indian pole vaulter to win an Asian Games medal.
Her clearance of 4.15m secured bronze and marked a new chapter in the history of Indian athletics.