Baranica Elangovan Sets New National Record in Women's Pole Vault at Indoor Championships

In a remarkable display of skill, Baranica Elangovan has set a new national record in women's pole vault by clearing 4.22 meters at the National Indoor Championships. This achievement not only surpasses the previous record but also marks the first official record for indoor pole vaulting in India. Alongside her, local athlete Sarun Payasingh won gold in the men's long jump with a personal best of 7.80 meters. Both athletes are making waves in the athletics scene, showcasing their dedication and talent. Read on to learn more about their inspiring journeys and future aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 25, 2026, 10:24 IST

Historic Achievement in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In an impressive display of athleticism, Baranica Elangovan from Tamil Nadu has set a new national record in the women's pole vault by clearing a height of 4.22 meters during the National Indoor Championships held on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old athlete, who has previously won three national outdoor titles, surpassed the former record of 4.21 meters held by Rosy Meena Paulraj since 2022.

This event marked the first official national indoor championships for women's pole vault, meaning Baranica's achievement will now stand as both the national indoor and overall record, pending formal ratification by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Following her record-setting jump, officials from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) collected samples for a doping test, a standard procedure for record validation.

Baranica attempted to further improve her record but was unsuccessful in three attempts at 4.25 meters.

"I have significant competitions coming up and focused primarily on my technique, which paid off. I concentrated on my approach to the runway, as I had faced challenges there before," Baranica shared after her performance.

She expressed gratitude towards her coach, Milber Bertrand Russell, who has been guiding her since 2016.

Currently training at the Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar after relocating from Chennai in 2023, Baranica made a remarkable recovery from an ACL surgery on her left leg in 2020.

Local Talent Shines in Men's Long Jump

In other highlights from the championships, Sarun Payasingh, a local athlete, clinched the gold medal in the men's long jump with a personal best of 7.80 meters.

The 25-year-old outperformed Praveen Chithravel, the national record holder in triple jump from Tamil Nadu, who managed a silver with a best jump of 7.78 meters after only three attempts.

P David from Railways secured third place with a jump of 7.69 meters.

"This is my first indoor competition, and winning gold feels like a significant accomplishment. I aimed for my personal best rather than focusing solely on the medal," Payasingh remarked, who has recently joined Reliance.

Hailing from a farming family in Kalahandi district, Odisha, Payasingh currently resides at the hostel linked to the indoor facility. He previously trained at the Sports Hostel in Bhubaneswar from 2016 to 2024 after being discovered during a district-level talent scouting event.

"We have four acres of farmland where my father cultivates crops. I participated in the School Nationals, and my PE teacher encouraged me to join the talent scouting program. I also played football and run 100 meters, and I'm competing in the 60-meter hurdles here as well," he added.