Aichi-Nagoya: Baranica Elangovan scripted a new chapter in Indian athletics on Friday by securing bronze in the women’s pole vault at the Asian Games, becoming the country’s first-ever medallist in the event.
Baranica cleared 4.15 metres to finish joint third with Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova. Both athletes successfully negotiated the same height with identical attempts and were unable to clear 4.25m, resulting in the bronze medal being shared.
The podium finish marked a landmark moment for India, as Baranica became the first Indian athlete to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault, in either the men’s or women’s competition.
The Indian athlete’s achievement added another medal to India’s growing tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, taking the country’s total to 23 medals.
India’s tally at the time stood at two gold, nine silver and 12 bronze medals.
