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.

 

Aadarsh Ram Clears 2.27m to Become India’s Third-Highest High Jumper Ever

Tamil Nadu’s Aadarsh Ram continued his remarkable rise in Indian athletics by clearing 2.27m at the Indian Series-6, registering the third-highest mark ever achieved by an Indian men’s high jumper.

The performance marked yet another personal best for the young athlete, who has been in sensational form this season. Coming into the competition after clearing 2.23m in his previous outing, Aadarsh improved once again with successful jumps at both 2.24m and 2.27m — setting two lifetime best marks in the same competition.

His rapid progress has made him one of the most exciting high jump prospects in the country. The consistency in improving his personal bests across consecutive meets reflects both confidence and technical growth at the elite level.

Aadarsh had already signaled his strong form earlier this season when he clinched the silver medal at the Asian Indoor Championships, beginning his campaign on a high note.

With the outdoor season progressing, Aadarsh’s latest achievement further strengthens India’s growing depth in men’s high jump and places him firmly among the nation’s top athletes in the event.

There is a recurring nightmare in Indian sports that has nothing to do with podium finishes or doping scandals. It is the logistical humiliation of the journey home.

For the second time in recent history, a national-level pole vaulter has been forced to reach out to nnissports as a last resort, pleading for the dignity that their medals should have already bought them. In January 2026, it was Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar who faced a similar ordeal. Today, the victim is Kavin Raja, the 2026 U20 Federation Cup champion and the freshly minted gold medalist at the Indoor Nationals in Bhubaneswar.

The image is as jarring as it is shameful: A young man, having just conquered the vault in the U20 category, finds himself stranded for over 12 hours at Rajahmundry railway station. He isn’t alone; he is accompanied by fellow athletes and his primary tool of the trade—his poles.

The Ordeal at Rajahmundry

Pole vaulting is a sport of precision and expensive equipment. Yet, Kavin Raja was forced to navigate an overcrowded train where there was literally no space to breathe, let alone store 15-foot fiberglass poles. With no other option, the athletes tied the poles safely to the outside of the train window.

While the train was in motion, the situation turned from difficult to dangerous. Reports suggest that railway staff, who initially raised no concerns, later cut the ropes securing the equipment while the train was moving. It took an emergency chain pull by a fellow athlete to prevent the destruction of the gear—and a potential disaster on the tracks.

Critics and bureaucrats will undoubtedly hide behind the “Railways Manual,” arguing about luggage dimensions and safety protocols. They will say that poles are “oversized items” and that athletes should follow the bureaucratic labyrinth of freight booking.

But this raises a much larger, more haunting question: How do we actually treat our athletes?

We are a nation that erupts in collective euphoria when an athlete stands on a podium. We tweet our pride and drape them in garlands upon their return. But the reality between the “Gold” and the “Gala” is a grim one. Imagine the scenario: an athlete wins a national championship, represents the future of Indian track and field, and is then expected to be packed like sardines in a general compartment, guarding their life’s work against a system that treats them as a nuisance.

A Systemic Failure

If a musician travels with a cello or a photographer with a tripod, the world understands. Yet, our elite vaulters—the few who can actually clear five meters—are left to negotiate with unsympathetic station masters.

We cannot demand Olympic medals on one hand while allowing our champions to be stranded on railway platforms with their equipment tied to windows like an afterthought.

Kavin Raja’s story has been heard several times over. It is a story of a gold medalist treated like a trespasser. Until we fix the journey, we have no right to celebrate the destination.

If you have been in a similar situation or have more information on Kavin’s current status, DM us or write to us. This needs to change.

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.

India has found a new star in pole vault, and his name is Kuldeep Kumar. In a memorable performance, Kuldeep created history by setting a new national record of 5.41m, going past the previous mark of 5.40m held by Dev Meena.

The big moment came at the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault competition in Bhubaneswar. Kuldeep first cleared 5.35m, showing strong form. Then came the record-breaking jump 5.41m, a height that now stands as the best ever by an Indian.

He also tried 5.46m, which is just above the Asian Games 2026 qualification mark of 5.45m, but missed it narrowly. Still, this performance showed that he is very close to even bigger heights.

Kuldeep’s progress this season has been steady and impressive.

5.25m at Indian Open Jumps
5.25m at Indian Open Athletics Series
5.41m at Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault competition

This was also his third contest this year with Dev Meena. In Bengaluru, both cleared 5.25m but Meena won on countback. In Jaipur, Kuldeep returned the favour and won on countback. Now, in this third meeting, Kuldeep clearly came out on top with a national record.

Behind him, Reegan Ganesh finished second with 5.25m, while Dev Meena took third place with 5.20m.

After his historic jump, Kuldeep spoke with confidence and calmness “I’m feeling good. It was just luck that Dev couldn’t do it today. It feels great to break the national record. We are confident of doing even better in the coming championships.” He told NNIS Sports..

He also explained how things changed during the competition. “At 5.35m, I changed the pole and started doing better. I cleared 5.41m and just missed 5.46m.”

What makes this story even better is the bond between the two top vaulters. Kuldeep said, “Dev and I train together under the same coach. Training together really helps. Sometimes, Meena even clears 5.50m in training. Together, we will take Indian pole vault to greater heights.”

With this performance, Kuldeep Kumar has not only broken a record but also given Indian athletics a new hope. The way he is improving, crossing 5.45m and beyond now looks just a matter of time.

At a young age, Dev has already built a reputation for consistency. He is not loud, not flashy, but every time he steps onto the runway, he delivers. And that is what makes him special.
This season, he has already matched the national record of 5.40m, proving that his performances last year were no fluke. In fact, his journey over the past year shows clear progress  5.32m, 5.35m, and now 5.40m multiple times. It is a pattern of growth, not a one-off result.
A few weeks ago in Taiwan, he equalled the national record again. More importantly, he attempted 5.50m and came very close.
But Dev is not satisfied.
“In my opinion, the start of my 2026 season hasn’t been that good. I could have performed better,” he told Nnis Sports.“In Taiwan, the wind was very strong… otherwise, I could have easily cleared 5.50m.”
 Even at his best, he feels there is more to give.
Now, all eyes shift to the Indoor Combined Events Meet in Bhubaneswar, where Dev will compete alongside Reegan Ganesh and Kuldeep Yadav. Reegan has cleared 5.30m and is in top form, while Kuldeep is also improving steadily. The competition will be tight and that’s exactly what Dev wants.
“My target for tomorrow is 5.45m or more… I’ll get a strong push as Kuldeep Kumar and Reegan Ganesh are both in very good form.”
The number 5.45m is not just another mark. It is the qualification standard for the Asian Games 2026, a height no Indian male pole vaulter has ever officially achieved for qualification.
What works in his favour is his calm approach. He understands conditions, adapts quickly, and learns from every competition. Even though he mostly trains outdoors, he arrived early in Bhubaneswar to adjust to indoor conditions a small detail that shows his preparation.
At just 18, Mohammed Ashfaq is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in Indian athletics. The Kerala sprinter delivered a stunning performance, clocking 46.05 seconds in the 400m, a new U20 national record and the fastest time in Asia this season.
What makes this run even more special is the scale of improvement. Ashfaq shaved nearly half a second off his personal best, a huge leap in a one-lap race. His timing now stands as India’s seventh fastest this season and places him 20th on the country’s all-time list.
His rise, however, has been building steadily. At the start of 2026, he ran 48.10s in Trivandrum. Soon after, he improved to 46.83s in New Delhi, showing clear progress.
At the ongoing Junior Federation Cup, he dominated the heats with 47.39s, breaking the Asian U20 qualification mark, and followed it up with another strong 46.83s in the semifinals.
Now, with both Asian and World U20 standards achieved, Ashfaq is knocking on the door of the elite sub-46 club. If this momentum continues, Indian 400m running may have found its next big star.

At Nairobi’s Kip Keino Classic, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage delivered a sensational performance in the men’s javelin, setting a meeting record of 89.28m with his second throw. The mark reinforced his recent personal best of 89.37m, proving his rise is no fluke.

Germany’s Thomas Röhler, the 2016 Olympic champion, finished second with 83.33m — his best effort since 2019 and a clear sign of resurgence.

The competition highlighted a compelling mix of emerging dominance and experienced pedigree, with Pathirage establishing consistency at the elite level, while Röhler’s return to form adds intrigue to the global javelin landscape this season.

Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar is set to compete at the Simbine Classic on April 28 in South Africa.

Sreeshankar opened his 2026 season at the Indian Open Athletics Series 1 with a best jump of 8.15m, signalling strong early form.

So far this year, only two Indian athletes have crossed the 8m mark in men’s long jump — Lokesh Sathyanathan with 8.21m and Sreeshankar himself with 8.15m.

As he heads into the Simbine Classic, Sreeshankar will look to build on this momentum against an international field.

Lokesh Sathyanathan continued his impressive run of form, equalling his personal best of 8.21m to clinch top spot at the Michael Johnson Invitational.

Fresh off his NCAA men’s long jump title last month—where he first recorded the same 8.21m—Lokesh has now matched that mark again in an outdoor meet, underlining his consistency at the highest level.

He was the only athlete in the competition to breach the 8-metre barrier, standing out in a strong field.

His jump series reflected both stability and peak performance: 7.66m, foul, foul, 8.01m, 8.21m, 8.02m.