Three-time national champion Baranica Elangovan cleared the Asian Games qualifying mark and won the gold medal in the women’s pole vault at the Indian Open Jumps Competition 2026 in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Competing at the Anju Bobby High Performance Centre, Baranica Elangovan produced her best leap of 4.10m, matching the Athletics Federation of India entry standard for the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan later this year.
However, breaching the AFI mark does not guarantee Baranica Elangovan a place in India’s Asian Games contingent. Under the AFI selection process, athletes must compete in a minimum of three domestic competitions, including mandatory participation at state championships.
The 29-year-old Indian athlete edged Sindhushree G (3.95m) and Babita Patel (3.90m) to win silver and bronze, respectively.
Elangovan’s personal best is 4.15m
Baranica Elangovan’s personal best is 4.15m, which she achieved at the National Open Athletics Championships 2024 in Bengaluru. The national record stands at 4.21m, set by Rosy Meena Paulraj in 2022.
In the women’s high jump, Pooja Rawat won the gold medal with a height of 1.76m. Kevinaa Ashwine Anna (1.74m) and Pallavi Patil (1.71m) completed the podium.
The second day of the athletics meet also featured senior competition in women’s and men’s long jump, with Mubassina Mohammed and Purushotham Ham winning gold medals in their respective events.
Results: Women’s pole vault: 1. Baranica Elangovan (4.10m); 2. Sindhushree G (3.95m); 3. Babita Patel (3.90m).
Women’s high jump: 1. Pooja Rawat (1.76m); 2. Kevinaa Ashwine Anna (1.74m); 3. Pallavi Patil (1.71m).
Women’s long jump: 1. Mubassina Mohammed (6.38m); 2. Bhavani Yadav Bhagav (6.27m); 3. Kusuma Ravada (6.08m).
Men’s long jump: 1. Purushotham Ham (7.87m); 2. Sarun Payasingh (7.78m); 3. Saran S (7.77m).
