Elangovan Sets National Women's Pole Vault Record at 4.22m

In Bhubaneswar, India, on March 24, 29-year-old Tamil Nadu athlete Baranica Elangovan shattered the national women's pole vault record by clearing 4.22 meters at the inaugural National Indoor Athletics Championships held at Kalinga Stadium. The mark surpassed the previous record of 4.21 meters set by Rosy Meena Paulraj in 2022, establishing a new benchmark for both indoor and outdoor competitions as recognized by World Athletics.

Elangovan, a three-time national outdoor champion from Mayiladuthurai, dominated the event on its opening day. She comfortably cleared heights of 3.80 meters, 3.90 meters, 4.00 meters, and 4.10 meters before attempting 4.22 meters directly. Silver medalist Blessy Kunjumon of Kerala reached 3.95 meters, while Mariya Jaison of Kerala finished third at 3.80 meters. Elangovan attempted to raise the bar to 4.25 meters three times but fell short, citing a lack of speed in her run-up. Officials from the National Anti-Doping Agency collected samples from her post-event, a standard procedure for record ratification by the Athletics Federation of India.

The achievement capped years of persistent effort for Elangovan, who began pole vaulting in 2016 after...