Asian champion Pooja continued her impressive run of form by winning the women’s high jump title at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, clearing 1.83m to secure the gold medal and achieve the Asian Games qualification standard.
Competing against the country’s top high jumpers, Pooja produced a composed and confident performance throughout the competition. Her successful clearance at 1.83m proved enough to clinch the Interstate title while also booking her place for the upcoming Asian Games.
Having secured victory and the qualification mark, Pooja raised the bar to 1.90m in pursuit of an even bigger achievement. The talented youngster made three determined attempts at the height but was unable to clear it on this occasion. Despite falling short of 1.90m, her performance at 1.83m stood out as another significant milestone in an already outstanding season.
The victory further strengthens Pooja’s growing reputation as one of India’s brightest young field-event athletes. Already an Asian champion, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to perform on major stages, and her latest success at the country’s premier domestic championships reinforces her status among the nation’s elite high jumpers.
The Interstate Championships have once again provided athletes with an opportunity to secure qualification standards ahead of major international events, and Pooja made the most of the occasion with a championship-winning display. Her consistency, technical execution, and composure under pressure were evident throughout the competition.
With the Asian Games qualification now secured, Pooja is set for an exciting international season. She is scheduled to represent India at the World U20 Championships, the Commonwealth Games 2026, and the Asian Games 2026, making this one of the busiest and most significant years of her young career.
Winning the Interstate title while qualifying for the Asian Games is another major achievement for Pooja, and her continued progress suggests she will be one of India’s key athletes to watch on the international stage in the months ahead.