Baranica Elangovan in action during the Women's Pole Vault Final Indian athlete Baranica Elangovan won the bronze medal in the women's pole vault at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Friday, giving India its first-ever medal in the event at the Asian Games.The 29-year-old secured the bronze with a best clearance of 4.15m.
She shared the medal with Kazakhstan's Polina Ivanova, who also cleared 4.15m.
The two athletes matched each other on countback, resulting in a shared bronze.
Watch Anahat Singh on World Junior title, PV Sindhu, LA 2028 & her senior ambitions | TOISA Spotlight Baranica began with first-attempt clearances of 3.85m and 4.00m before needing two attempts to clear 4.15m.
She then attempted 4.25m but failed on all three attempts, ending her competition with the bronze medal.Her compatriot Sindhushree Ganesha exited the competition without registering a mark, while Baranica remained in contention for a medal.Baranica has also had a strong season, improving the national record twice earlier this year.
She first cleared 4.22m in March and then raised the mark to 4.23m in May at Bhubaneswar.
Sindhushree G later improved the national record to 4.25m in June.
Baranica's season-best remains 4.23m.
