Asian Games 2026: Baranica Elangovan wins bronze in women’s pole vault
She became the first Indian to win a medal in this event at the Asian Games
India’s Baranica Elangovan made history at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, clinching a bronze medal in the women’s pole vault event at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Friday, September 25.
The Tamil Nadu athlete clinched third position in the event by clearing 4.15m. In the process, she became the first Indian athlete to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault, capping off a brilliant season for the 29-year-old.
The gold medal was claimed by Japan’s Misaki Morota, who recorded a personal-best clearance of 4.55m. China’s Chunge Niu took home the silver medal by clearing 4.50m.
Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova shared the bronze medal with Elangovan. Both players cleared 4.15m, and they failed to clear 4.25m in their following attempts.
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Baranica Elangovan’s record-breaking season
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Elangovan entered the Aichi-Nagoya Games as one of the brightest medal prospects in athletics. She was the former national record holder in women’s pole vault. She first set a national record of 4.22m in March before improving it to 4.23m in May. G Sindhushree broke this record with 4.25m in June.
Elangovan, meanwhile, added to her medal tally with a gold medal at the Indian Open Athletics Series in Chennai. She also won gold at the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi. She cleared 4.10m at both competitions.
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However, the 29-year-old had to wait for her first Asiad medal, having narrowly missed out on the athletics contingent for the Hangzhou 2022 Games. Elangovan has now fulfilled that goal with her bronze-winning performance in Japan.
What did Baranica Elangovan win at Asian Games 2026?
She won the bronze medal in the women’s pole vault.
How many Asian Games pole vault medals does India have?
Baranica Elangovan’s bronze is India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the women’s pole vault.
Who won women’s pole vault gold at Asian Games 2026?
Japan’s Misaki Morota won the women’s pole vault gold with a personal-best clearance of 4.55m.
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