CM Majhi Hails Baranica's Historic Asian Games Pole Vault Bronze
Synopsis
Baranica Elangovan cleared 4.15 metres to win bronze in Women's Pole Vault at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya — becoming the first Indian ever to medal in the event at the Games. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi hailed the landmark achievement.
Key Takeaways
Baranica Elangovan won bronze in the Women's Pole Vault at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Her clearance of 4.15 metres is the bar that set the record.
She is the first Indian athlete — male or female — to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi posted congratulations on September 25, 2026 , tagging the achievement under #NariShakti .
India has shown a gradual upward trend in athletics medals at successive Asian Games editions.
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) , launched in 2014, supports elite Indian athletes aiming for continental and global podiums.
History was cleared at 4.15 metres in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was among the first to mark the moment. Baranica Elangovan has become the first Indian athlete ever to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault, claiming bronze in the Women's event at the 2026 Asian Games on Friday, September 25.
CM Majhi took to X to congratulate the athlete, writing: 'Heartiest congratulations to Baranica Elangovan on winning the Bronze Medal in the Women's Pole Vault at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Clearing 4.15 metres, Baranica created history by becoming the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault.' He closed with wishes for 'continued success and many more laurels ahead.'
Baranica's 4.15 m clearance — why it rewrites the record books
Pole vault has long been one of the most technically demanding disciplines in track and field, and Indian women have historically struggled to make an impact on the continental stage. Baranica Elangovan's bronze at Aichi-Nagoya breaks that barrier entirely. No Indian — man or woman — had previously stood on an Asian Games podium in this event, making her clearance of 4.15 metres a landmark not just for women's athletics but for the discipline itself in India.
The Asian Games, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia and held every four years, is the continent's premier multi-sport competition. A medal here carries weight well beyond the podium: it signals the depth of an athlete's preparation and places them firmly on selectors' radars for future global competitions.
Nari Shakti in spikes — the bigger picture for Indian women's athletics
CM Majhi's post carried the hashtags #NariShakti and #Cheer4Bharat, framing Baranica's achievement within a broader national celebration of women in sport. That framing reflects a consistent pattern in government messaging: women's podium finishes are increasingly highlighted as proof of a structural shift in Indian athletics, not just individual brilliance.
India's medal count in athletics at successive Asian Games editions has been on a gradual upward curve. Central schemes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) — launched in 2014 to provide financial and training support to elite athletes — have been credited with giving promising competitors the resources to compete at world-class levels. Whether Baranica trained under TOPS support has not been confirmed, but her result is precisely the kind of breakthrough the scheme was designed to produce.
India's performance across the remaining events at Aichi-Nagoya will be closely watched. One bronze in a previously uncharted discipline has a way of changing what a nation believes is possible — and in athletics, belief is half the battle.
Point of View
Not just a personal triumph — pole vault requires specialised infrastructure, coaching, and long-term investment that India has historically under-provided. The result signals that athlete-support pipelines, including central schemes like TOPS and state-level sports ecosystems, are beginning to yield returns in niche but Olympic-relevant disciplines. For CM Majhi, amplifying the achievement under the Nari Shakti banner aligns state visibility with a national narrative that has proven politically resonant. The real test will be whether this podium finish triggers sustained investment in women's field events, or remains a celebrated one-off.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Baranica Elangovan?
Baranica Elangovan is an Indian pole vaulter who made history at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, by becoming the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in the pole vault event, claiming the bronze with a clearance of 4.15 metres.
What did Baranica Elangovan achieve at the 2026 Asian Games?
She won the bronze medal in the Women's Pole Vault at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, clearing 4.15 metres — a historic first for India in this discipline at the Asian Games.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The 2026 Asian Games are being held in the Aichi-Nagoya region of Japan. The quadrennial event is organised by the Olympic Council of Asia.
Why did Odisha CM Mohan Majhi congratulate Baranica Elangovan?
CM Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated Baranica Elangovan on X for winning India's first-ever Asian Games medal in pole vault, calling it a historic achievement and wishing her and Team India continued success.
What is India's history in pole vault at the Asian Games?
Before the 2026 Asian Games, no Indian athlete — male or female — had ever won a medal in pole vault at the Asian Games. Baranica Elangovan's bronze at Aichi-Nagoya is the first such medal in the discipline for India.
