Consistency at the highest level often separates champions from contenders, and Tamil Nadu’s pole vault star Baranica Elangovan is proving exactly why she belongs among India’s elite. With another record-breaking effort in Bhubaneswar, she continues to push the boundaries of Indian athletics.
At the inaugural Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition held at the Kalinga Indoor Athletics Stadium, Baranica once again etched her name into the record books. The 29-year-old cleared 4.23m to better her own national record of 4.22m, which she had set just five weeks earlier at the same venue during the National Indoor Championships. Her latest mark came on her third attempt, underlining both her composure and technical precision under pressure. With this performance, Baranica not only secured top spot in the competition but also reinforced her dominance in women’s pole vault in India. She finished comfortably ahead of competitors Nitika Anup Akare and Blessy Kunjumon, who both managed 3.90m.
Reflecting on her performance, Baranica kept it simple yet meaningful. “It was another good day for me,” she said, acknowledging the steady progress she has made in recent months after relocating her training base to Bhubaneswar.
This venue has increasingly become a turning point in her career. Earlier this year, she surpassed the long-standing national record of 4.21m set by Rosy Meena Paulraj in 2022. That breakthrough moment was particularly emotional, given the challenges she had endured in the years leading up to it.
“It was an emotional moment for us because we have been trying so hard for the past three years to break the national record,” Baranica stated. Her journey back to the top has been anything but straightforward. Around six years ago, Baranica underwent ACL reconstructive surgery on her take-off leg, a crucial component for any pole vaulter. The recovery process proved long and frustrating, with persistent pain affecting her consistency for nearly three years after the procedure.
The turning point came when she began working with specialists at the Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar. Access to advanced sports science support and rehabilitation facilities helped her regain both physical strength and confidence. “The physios and the advanced machines at the centre were really helpful. Before moving to Bhubaneswar, my performances were up and down because I had pain on and off,” Baranica said.
Her resurgence also reflects a broader shift in Indian athletics, where scientific training methods and infrastructure are beginning to play a bigger role in athlete development. Baranica’s success stands as a testament to how targeted support systems can help athletes overcome career-threatening setbacks. Interestingly, according to World Athletics, there is no distinction between indoor and outdoor records in pole vault. This means Baranica’s mark of 4.23m holds national significance across formats, though it will still require formal ratification by the Athletics Federation of India.
The event itself witnessed multiple standout performances. In the men’s pole vault, Kuldeep Kumar set a new national record by clearing 5.41m, surpassing the previous mark held by Dev Meena. Meanwhile, Odisha’s Purnima Hembram clinched the women’s pentathlon title with 3835 points, showcasing all-round excellence across disciplines. In the U20 category, Jaskiran Kaur of Uttarakhand secured the pentathlon crown with a total of 3272 points.
For Baranica, however, the spotlight firmly remains on her upward trajectory. Each competition is not just about winning but about refining technique, building consistency, and pushing her personal limits further. As Indian athletics continues to evolve, Baranica Elangovan’s story is becoming one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
