Puri hails Baranica Elangovan's historic Asian Games pole vault bronze
Synopsis
Baranica Elangovan won India's first-ever Asian Games medal in women's pole vault, clearing 4.15m on her continental debut to claim bronze. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri celebrated the historic milestone on X, calling it a proud day for the nation.
Key Takeaways
Baranica Elangovan won India's first-ever Asian Games medal in women's pole vault , claiming bronze.
Her winning clearance stood at 4.15 metres , achieved on her Asian Games debut .
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri posted congratulations on X on 26 September 2026 .
The achievement is a landmark for Indian women's field athletics, a discipline where the country previously had no continental Games podium presence in pole vault.
The Asian Games, held every four years, is the top multi-sport platform for Asian athletes outside the Olympics.
India has a new chapter in its athletics history — and it was written 4.15 metres in the air. Baranica Elangovan cleared that bar on her Asian Games debut to win India's first-ever medal in women's pole vault at the continental games, a bronze that arrives with the full weight of a national first. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was among the first to mark the moment, posting a congratulatory message on X on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
A debut that rewrote the record books
Baranica did not just compete on her Asian Games debut — she delivered. The 4.15m clearance that earned her bronze was enough to etch her name into Indian athletics lore as the first woman to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault for the country. Pole vault is one of the most technically demanding disciplines in track and field, requiring explosive speed, precise technique, and aerial control — which makes a podium finish on a first appearance all the more remarkable.
Puri's congratulations and the bigger moment
Minister Puri's post captured the sentiment that swept across India: 'A historic first for India! Heartiest congratulations to Baranica Elangovan on winning India's first-ever Asian Games medal in Women's Pole Vault!' He called the achievement 'a proud day for India' — a phrase that rang louder given it was not hyperbole but literal fact. Before Baranica, no Indian woman had stood on an Asian Games podium in this event.
Why this milestone matters for Indian athletics
India's track-and-field programme has historically been stronger in middle-distance running and throwing events. Pole vault — particularly on the women's side — has been a discipline where India lacked continental-level representation. Baranica's bronze signals that the country's field-event pipeline is deepening, and it puts women's pole vault on the national athletics radar in a way no previous result has. For the coaches, selectors, and young athletes watching from school grounds across the country, this is a reference point that did not exist before 26 September 2026.
The Asian Games, held every four years, remain the highest multi-sport stage available to Asian athletes short of the Olympics. A medal here carries serious weight — and a 'first ever' carries even more. Baranica now owns one.
Point of View
Accelerating what Baranica started.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Baranica Elangovan?
Baranica Elangovan is an Indian athlete who competes in women's pole vault. She made history by winning India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the event, claiming bronze with a 4.15m clearance on her Asian Games debut.
What was Baranica Elangovan's winning jump at the Asian Games?
Baranica Elangovan cleared 4.15 metres to win the bronze medal in women's pole vault at the Asian Games.
Why is Baranica Elangovan's medal historic?
It is India's first-ever medal in women's pole vault at the Asian Games, making Baranica the first Indian woman to stand on the continental games podium in this event.
What did Hardeep Singh Puri say about Baranica Elangovan?
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri posted on X calling it 'a historic first for India' and described the bronze as 'a well-deserved' medal and 'a proud day for India.'
When did Baranica Elangovan win the Asian Games pole vault medal?
The congratulatory post was made on 26 September 2026 , the date on which Minister Hardeep Singh Puri publicly celebrated the achievement.
