Rajnath Singh hails Baranica Elangovan's historic Asian Games bronze
Synopsis
Baranica Elangovan won bronze in Women's Pole Vault at the Asian Games 2026, giving India its first-ever podium finish in this event. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a landmark moment reflecting the rising strength of Indian athletics.
Key Takeaways
Baranica Elangovan won the bronze medal in Women's Pole Vault at the Asian Games 2026 .
This is India's first-ever medal in the Women's Pole Vault event at the Asian Games.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted congratulations on X on September 26, 2026 .
Singh described the achievement as a 'landmark performance' reflecting the 'rising strength of Indian sport.' Indian athletics has shown gradual, consistent medal gains across successive Asian Games editions.
India's athletics history got a new chapter on Saturday, September 26, 2026, when Baranica Elangovan cleared the bar to win a bronze medal in Women's Pole Vault at the Asian Games 2026 — the first time India has ever stood on the podium in this event at the Games. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was among the first senior voices to mark the moment, calling it 'a historic achievement for Indian athletics.'
Pole vault is one of the most technically demanding disciplines in track and field — a brutal marriage of sprinting speed, gymnastic flexibility, and split-second aerial judgment. For India, a country that has traditionally harvested Asian Games medals in throwing events and short sprints rather than the technical vault disciplines, Baranica's bronze is not just a result. It is a statement.Baranica Elangovan's landmark vault
In his post on X, Rajnath Singh described the performance as a 'landmark,' noting that it 'has secured India's first-ever medal in this event at the Asian Games.' The minister credited 'grit, discipline and dedication' as the qualities behind the breakthrough, framing the win as evidence of 'the rising strength of Indian sport.' Pole vault has long been an event where Asian podiums have been dominated by athletes from China, Japan, and South Korea — nations with deep technical coaching infrastructure. An Indian name on that scoreboard marks a genuine shift in the country's athletic ambition and capability.A pattern of steady gains in Indian athletics
This medal fits a broader arc. Across successive editions of the Asian Games, Indian athletics has registered gradual but consistent gains — expanding its competitive footprint from traditional strongholds into more technically complex disciplines. Government investment in training infrastructure and sports science support has steadily backed that upward trend. For young athletes watching from school tracks and village grounds across the country, the image of an Indian woman clearing a pole vault bar at the Asian Games carries a specific and powerful message: events that once felt entirely out of reach are now within the frame.All eyes on India's final Asian Games tally
With the Asian Games 2026 still underway, Baranica's bronze adds to India's growing medal count and sets the tone for the remaining athletics programme. Every podium finish from here sharpens the picture of where Indian sport stands heading into the next cycle of global competition. One vault, one bronze — and an entire event's history rewritten.Point of View
Baranica Elangovan's bronze genuinely expands India's competitive footprint into high-technical disciplines, which is significant in its own right. If the Athletics Federation and sports ministry sustain targeted support, this podium could be the entry point into a new era for Indian field events.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Baranica Elangovan?
Baranica Elangovan is an Indian pole vaulter who made history by winning a bronze medal in Women's Pole Vault at the Asian Games 2026, securing India's first-ever podium finish in this event at the Games.
What medal did India win in pole vault at the Asian Games 2026?
India won a bronze medal in the Women's Pole Vault event at the Asian Games 2026, thanks to Baranica Elangovan's landmark performance.
Has India ever won a pole vault medal at the Asian Games before?
No. Baranica Elangovan's bronze at the Asian Games 2026 is India's first-ever medal in the Women's Pole Vault event at the Asian Games.
What did Rajnath Singh say about Baranica Elangovan's win?
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the win 'a historic achievement for Indian athletics,' describing it as a 'landmark performance' that reflects 'the rising strength of Indian sport' and will inspire young athletes.
Why is a pole vault medal significant for Indian athletics?
Pole vault is a highly technical discipline historically dominated at the Asian Games by nations like China, Japan, and South Korea. An Indian medal in the event signals a meaningful expansion of India's competitive range in athletics.
