Baranica Elangovan Wins Bronze Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Women's Pole Vault
Indian pole vaulter Baranica Elangovan has secured a bronze medal in the Women's Pole Vault at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on September 25, 2026.
India’s Baranica Elangovan has added a bronze medal to the nation's tally at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, delivering a stellar performance in the Women's Pole Vault final today, Friday, September 25, 2026. The 29-year-old athlete from Tamil Nadu showcased remarkable skill and determination, clearing a height of 4.15m to secure her place on the podium. Gulveer Singh Wins Silver Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Men's 10,000m.
The medal-winning jump for Elangovan came after an intense competition, which saw her steadily navigate through the heights. The final event took place at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, with the women's pole vault final concluding on September 25, following its scheduled late-evening start.
A Journey of Resilience
Elangovan's bronze medal at the continental showpiece is a testament to her unwavering spirit and a remarkable comeback story. Born on February 3, 1997, she has overcome significant challenges, including a career-threatening Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in 2020. Rather than allowing the setback to derail her ambitions, Elangovan chose to rebuild, returning stronger than ever.
Her journey this year has been particularly outstanding. In March 2026, she made headlines by becoming the first indoor National champion in pole vault, setting an Indian National record of 4.22m at the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. She further elevated her own record in May 2026, achieving a personal best of 4.23m at the Indian Indoor Open combined events and pole vault competition, also held in Bhubaneswar.
Elangovan also secured gold medals at the Indian Open Athletics Series in Chennai and the 29th National Senior Athletics Competition in Ranchi earlier this year, both with clearances of 4.10m. Her consistent form and dedication, training under coach Milber Bertrand Russel and at the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High Performance Centre, have culminated in this significant Asian Games medal. Manpreet Kaur Wins Bronze Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Women's Shot Put.
India's Growing Athletics Success
Baranica Elangovan's bronze medal contributes to India's burgeoning success in athletics at the Asian Games 2026. The nation's athletes continue to demonstrate their prowess on the international stage, bringing pride and recognition to the country. While fellow Indian pole vaulter Sindhushree Ganesha also competed in the final, she unfortunately exited without clearing a mark.
This medal marks a high point for Elangovan and serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across India. Her journey underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving sporting excellence.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 06:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
