Baranica Elangovan claims bronze in pole vault at Asian Games in Nagoya

Baranica Elangovan won the bronze medal in the pole vault at the Asian Games in Nagoya on September 25, 2026, securing what was described as a first-ever Asian Games bronze for India in the event.

The competition ran late as Misaki Morota attempted to clear 4.61m, and Baranica said she struggled to accept the result amid the delay. "The other Indian pole vaulter, Sindhushree, told me I had won bronze, but I did not believe her. I kept checking again and again and again. Even when my coach Milber Bertrand Russell told me to look up at the big screen for the official confirmation, I was not sure, I wanted him to confirm from the officials. It is so surreal that I don’t think I will believe it till I actually get it in my hands," a dazed but elated Baranica admitted.

Baranica’s medal followed Gulveer Singh’s performance in the 10,000m, where he upgraded his Hangzhou 2023 bronze to a silver at the same Games. "I have no fixed target in terms of the timings because then I will get stuck on that. Only target is to win medals and keep improving," an exhausted Gulveer said.

Shot-putter Manpreet Kaur, who also featured among India’s medal contenders, said she believed her best was still ahead as she worked on technical improvements with her coach. "There is more to be done; I can get a lot better. But I am still learning a lot of new things under coach Parveer Singh in terms of technique, strength and throwing angles. He kept guiding me even today, suggesting changes that helped me get better," she said.

Gulveer, who expressed satisfaction with the silver, has two more events remaining at the Asian Games and was intent on rest and recovery before those competitions.