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Baranica’s Asian Games Bronze Raises India’s Pole Vault Hopes
Baranica Elangovan won a bronze medal in pole vault at the Asian Games.
She cleared a height of 4.15 metres.
This was described as the first pole vault medal won by an Indian at the Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games.
Her coach, Milber Bertrand Russell, believes the medal is only the beginning.
He wants her to improve her personal best and reach heights between 4.40 and 4.50 metres.
Baranica said she had mainly hoped to improve her own record.
She was surprised to finish on the podium.
Russell also hopes her success will encourage more young athletes to try pole vault.
He says India needs better training facilities, equipment and coaching for the event.
Baranica Elangovan won bronze in pole vault at the Asian Games after clearing 4.15 metres.
She became the first Indian reported to win a pole vault medal at the Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games.
Japan’s Misaki Morota won gold at 4.55 metres, while China’s Niu Chunge took silver at 4.50 metres.
Coach Milber Bertrand Russell wants Baranica to consistently improve and reach the 4.40–4.50-metre level.
Russell said India needs better facilities, equipment, coaching and competition opportunities to develop pole vaulting.
- Who
- Indian pole vaulter Baranica Elangovan and her coach Milber Bertrand Russell.
- What
- Baranica won a bronze medal in the Asian Games pole vault competition.
- Where
- The Asian Games in Nagoya.
- When
- September 25.
- Why
- Baranica’s performance has encouraged bigger international ambitions and renewed calls for stronger support for pole vault in India.
Key facts
- Medallist
- Baranica Elangovan
- Event
- Women’s pole vault
- Medal
- Bronze
- Medal-winning height
- 4.15 metres
- Baranica’s reported personal best
- 4.23 metres
- Target range
- 4.40–4.50 metres
- Gold medallist
- Japan’s Misaki Morota, 4.55 metres
Quotes
Milber Bertrand Russell
Baranica Elangovan’s long-time pole vault coach
“The next targets will be to consistently improve her personal best and move towards the 4.40-4.50m level. Beyond that, we want her to compete strongly at major international competitions and continue improving her position at the world level.”
thehansindia.com
“For me, this medal is not the destination. It is the beginning of the next chapter for Baranica.”
thehansindia.com
Baranica Elangovan
Indian pole vault athlete and Asian Games bronze medallist
“No one was expecting me to win a medal. I only wanted to improve my personal best but I ended up on the podium. At least I have opened India’s account at the Asian Games and I thank my support team and family for this.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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