Indian Pole Vault Athlete Creates History Baranica Elangovan

Indian pole vaulter Baranica Elangovan created history at the 2026 Asian Games by winning bronze in the women’s pole vault. She cleared 4.15m to become the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in the event. Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova also cleared 4.15m and shared the bronze after both athletes failed to clear 4.25m. Japan’s Misaki Morota won gold with 4.55m, while China’s Chunge Niu took silver with 4.50m.

India also added another athletics medal as Manpreet Kaur won bronze in the women’s shot put with a throw of 17.17m. It was her first Asian Games medal. Baranica has been in strong form this year, improving her national record to 4.23m at the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition in May.