Triple Jump Triumph: Asha Ilango Soars to Season-Best Mark at Indian Series-6

The Indian triple jump circuit has a new frontrunner. Representing Tamil Nadu, Asha Ilango delivered a career-defining performance at Indian Series-6, shattering the 13m barrier for the first time with a massive leap of 13.52m. The mark not only secures her a lifetime best but also stands as the fastest and furthest jump in India this season, signaling her arrival as a major contender for the upcoming Interstate Championships.

Ilango’s progression has been steady, but this 13.52m leap represents a significant tactical breakthrough. By finding her rhythm on the runway, she managed to outclass a field that included seasoned champions and rising stars.

The competition in Sangrur also highlighted the incredible depth of India’s youth talent. Sadhana Ravi, only 18 years old, claimed the second spot on the podium. Ravi proved her mettle by clearing 13.02m, making her and Ilango the only two athletes in the field to breach the elusive 13m mark during this meet. Ravi, who has been consistently climbing the junior ranks, is quickly becoming a name that senior athletes can no longer afford to overlook.

Rounding out the podium was the reigning National Indoor Champion, Mallala Anusha. While Anusha fell just short of the 13m threshold with a best of 12.94m, her consistency remains a benchmark for the discipline.

There are moments in sport when an athlete is not just competing against others, but against her own limits. Right now, Baranica Elangovan is doing exactly that.

Just a day after a national record in the men’s pole vault grabbed attention, Baranica made sure the spotlight stayed on the event. Competing at the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition in Kalinga Stadium, she improved her own national record by clearing 4.23m.

What makes this performance special is not just the number, but the way she built it. She started her competition calmly, clearing 3.90m and 3.95m without trouble. From there, she moved up with confidence, going past 4.00m and 4.10m on her very first attempts.

Then came the big moment.

At 4.23m, Baranica faced a real test. After two failed attempts, she had one last chance. With focus and composure, she got it right on her third try setting a new national record and once again proving her consistency at the highest level in India.

“I wasn’t really aiming for a record. I was focusing on my technique, but I’m happy I could improve the national record,” Baranica told NNIS Sports after breaking the national record.

This wasn’t a sudden breakthrough. Earlier this season, she had already cleared 4.10m at the Indian Open Jumps, crossing the qualification mark set by the Athletics Federation of India for the Asian Games. Since then, she has kept pushing forward, improving step by step.

Interestingly, she even attempted 4.30m after her record jump, showing that she is already thinking beyond her current mark. Though she couldn’t clear it this time, the intent was clear she is not done yet.

Bhubaneswar is quickly becoming her favourite stage. From winning gold at the National Indoor Championships to setting back-to-back national records, the city has turned into a place where she keeps getting better.

“All the work and preparation are geared toward the Federation Cup and Inter-State Championships. I’m preparing for the major competitions. As I said, I need to focus on my technique,” she added.

Baranica’s journey is a reminder that progress in athletics doesn’t always come in big leaps. Sometimes, it is about small improvements one centimetre at a time that slowly build something remarkable.

And right now, with every jump, she is raising not just the bar, but the expectations for Indian pole vault.

Shaili Singh is currently leading the women’s long jump after three rounds at the Indian Athletics Series in New Delhi.

She recorded a best jump of 6.24m in her second attempt and chose to pass her third attempt.

Mubassina Mohammed is in second place with a best of 6.05m, achieved in her third attempt.

So far, these are the only two athletes to have crossed the 6m mark in the competition.

Series so far:
• Mubassina — 5.98m, foul, 6.05m
• Shaili — foul, 6.24m, pass

The competition remains open heading into the remaining rounds.

India’s top women’s triple jumper Niharika Vashisht will open her 2026 season at the Indian Open Series-3 on April 11 in Delhi.

She enters the season after a strong 2025 campaign, where she improved her personal best to 13.58m and became India’s all-time seventh-best performer.

Her season began last year with a gold medal and a 13.37m jump at the National Games.

With major events like the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games ahead, this competition will be an important starting point.

Mallala Anusha continued her impressive run of form by winning the gold medal in the women’s triple jump at the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.

She registered a best jump of 13.20 meters, finishing comfortably ahead of the field and emerging as the only athlete to cross the 13-meter mark in the final.

The victory marks her second consecutive gold this season, having already secured top spot at the Indian Open Jumps Competition earlier this year.

Anusha’s consistent performances highlight her growing dominance in the event and position her as one of the leading triple jumpers in the country.