Bhubaneswar, May 3: If one national record wasn't enough for Indian athletics fans, Baranica Elangovan made sure the excitement continued.
Just a day after Kuldeep Kumar's record-breaking performance in men's pole vault, Baranica delivered her own moment of brilliance. Competing at the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition in Bhubaneswar, the Tamil Nadu vaulter improved her own national record by clearing 4.23m.
This was not just another win; it was a statement. Only weeks earlier, Baranica had set the national record at 4.22m during the Indoor National Championships. Now, she has gone even higher, proving that she is constantly pushing her limits.
Her journey in the competition showed both control and confidence. She started
safely, clearing 3.90m and 3.95m without trouble. As the bar went higher, she remained steady, clearing 4.00m and 4.10m on her very first attempts.
Then came the big moment.
At 4.23m, Baranica needed all three attempts. On her final chance, she delivered successfully, clearing the height and setting a new national record. The effort showed her determination and ability to perform under pressure. She even tried to go higher, attempting 4.30m, but couldn't clear it this time. Still, the message was clear: she is not done yet.
Earlier in the season, Baranica had already crossed 4.10m at the Indian Open Jumps in Bengaluru, achieving the qualification standard set by the Athletics Federation of India for the Asian Games. Since then, she has continued to improve with every competition.
Bhubaneswar, especially the Kalinga Stadium, is quickly becoming her favorite stage. It's where she keeps winning medals, setting records, and building her legacy. From a 4.22m national record to 4.23m, from consistent performances to gold medals, Baranica Elangovan is showing what progress looks like.
And if this trend continues, even bigger heights may not be far away.
