NEW DELHI: Indian athlete Baranica Elangovan scripted history at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on September 25, Friday, by winning a bronze medal in the women’s pole vault. She has secured India’s first-ever Asian Games medal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the 29-year-old athlete, describing her achievement as a “special leap” that would inspire a new generation of young athletes.
Elangovan cleared 4.15 metres to share the bronze medal with Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova, who matched her clearance and recorded the same number of failures at 4.25m. Japan’s Misaki Morota won gold with a personal-best clearance of 4.55m, while China’s Chunge Niu took silver after clearing 4.50m.
The historic podium finish came on Elangovan’s Asian Games debut and marked a significant milestone for Indian athletics.
A special leap and an exemplary medal for India!
Congratulations to Baranica Elangovan on winning the Bronze in the women’s pole vault at her Asian Games debut. A proud achievement that will inspire many more young athletes to take up the sport: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 25, 2026
PM Modi hails historic achievement
Congratulating Elangovan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised her performance and highlighted its potential to inspire young athletes across the country. In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said, “A special leap and an exemplary medal for India!”. “Congratulations to Baranica Elangovan on winning the Bronze in the women’s pole vault at her Asian Games debut. A proud achievement that will inspire many more young athletes to take up the sport”, the post added.
Elangovan successfully cleared 3.85m and 4.00m on her first attempts before clearing 4.15m on her second attempt. She subsequently attempted 4.25m three times but could not clear the height.
First Asian Games medal for India in pole vault
Elangovan’s bronze is particularly significant as it represents India’s first-ever medal in the women’s pole vault at the Asian Games. The achievement adds another landmark to her rapidly developing career. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season, improving the Indian national record twice in 2026.
She first raised the national record to 4.22m in March before improving it further to 4.23m in May, establishing herself among India’s leading pole vaulters.
Gulveer, Manpreet also shine in athletics
Elangovan’s historic medal was part of a productive day for Indian athletics, with Gulveer Singh and Manpreet Kaur also adding medals to India’s tally. Gulveer clinched silver in the men’s 10,000m, clocking 28:29.38. Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew won gold in 28:27.51, while Albert Kiptoo of Bahrain took bronze in 28:34.38.
The silver made Gulveer the first Indian man to win two Asian Games medals in the 10,000m, following his bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. “Gulveer Singh keeps making us proud on the Asian Games podium!” the Prime Minister’s Office said, praising his perseverance and progress.
A Bronze earlier and now a Silver in Aichi-Nagoya. Gulveer Singh keeps making us proud on the Asian Games podium!
Congratulations to him on a fine run in the Men’s 10,000m event. His perseverance and progress will inspire young distance runners across India: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/WcTUfRtTMi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 25, 2026
Meanwhile, Manpreet Kaur secured bronze in the women’s shot put with a best throw of 17.17m. Her medal made her only the third Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in the event. Together, the performances of Gulveer, Manpreet and Elangovan strengthened India’s athletics campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Elangovan’s historic pole vault bronze standing out as a landmark moment for the sport in the country.
