Sports 25 September 2026
Asian Games 2026: Baranica Elangovan Wins Historic Bronze in Women’s Pole Vault
Why in the News?
Tamil Nadu’s 29-year-old athlete Baranica Elangovan created history at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, by becoming the first-ever Indian to win a medal in the pole vault event at the Asian Games, securing the bronze medal.
Key Features / Major Points:
Historic Bronze Clearance: Baranica cleared 4.15m to share the bronze medal with Kazakhstan's Polina Ivanova, following an identical countback record.
National Record Holder: 2026 proved to be a breakthrough year for Baranica, having revised the Indian national record twice—first to 4.22m in March and then to 4.23m in May in Bhubaneswar.
Fellow Indian Contender: India's Sindhushree Ganesha, who also qualified for the finals, failed to register a valid mark during the final event.
Gulveer Singh's Double: On the same day, Gulveer Singh clinched the silver medal in the men’s 10,000m (28:29.38), becoming the first Indian to win two Asian Games medals in this distance event (adding to his Hangzhou bronze).
Static GK Facts:
20th Asian Games Host City: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Indian Women's Pole Vault National Record: 4.23m (Baranica Elangovan).
Athletics Governing Body in India: Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Who became the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in the women's pole vault event? A: Baranica Elangovan (4.15m Bronze, Asian Games 2026)
Q: What is the current Indian national record in women's pole vault set by Baranica Elangovan? A: 4.23m
Q: Which Indian athlete won the silver medal in the men's 10,000m event at the Asian Games 2026? A: Gulveer Singh (28:29.38)
Hashtags:
#AsianGames2026 #BaranicaElangovan #PoleVault #GulveerSingh #IndianAthletics #SportsNews