Archive · 29 Sep 2026
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.
- When
- September 25.
- Where
- The Asian Games in Nagoya.
- Why
- Baranica’s performance has encouraged bigger international ambitions and renewed calls for stronger support for pole vault in India.
- 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