Why High Jumper Pooja Singh Is Next Big Star In Indian Athletics

At just 18, Pooja Singh is already doing what many athletes take a lifetime to achieve announcing herself on the continental stage. Her silver medal at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships is not just another result on paper. It is proof that Indian athletics has found a rare talent, and that talent is still growing.

Coming back from injury and finishing on the podium at senior level is never easy. Yet Pooja made it look possible, if not simple. Clearing 1.87m indoors after a long break, she showed that her Asian gold in 2025 was no coincidence. It was only her third competition after returning from a Grade-2 ligament tear. Still, she stood tall among Asia's best.

Her recent journey reflects quiet determination. From winning junior titles

at Asian U-18 and U-20 levels to dominating South Asian meets, Pooja has moved step by step, never rushing, never losing focus. The turning point came in 2025, when she cleared 1.89m to win Asian gold and place herself among India's all-time greats high jumpers. For a teenager to reach such heights is rare. For her, it seemed natural.

Every centimetre in high jump demands discipline, strength, and patience. Pooja understands this better than most. Her 1.89m personal best puts her close to the 1.90m mark, a psychological and technical barrier that separates good athletes from exceptional ones. She knows she is close. And she believes she will cross it.

After her silver in China, she spoke with honesty and confidence. "I went to the Asian Indoor Championships with a target of clearing 1.90m, and that day my body was feeling really good. I was sure I would have won gold. " she told myKhel.

On her comeback, she said: "When I found out through AFI that my name was included in the competition, I decided to participate, after I cleared 1.85m I became confident. "

And about her Asian Games 2026 ambition: "I will go to the Asian Games with a target of 1.90 metres. I will surely clear 1.90 metres. I might even break India's national record. "

These are not empty words. They come from experience, struggle, and belief. Pooja Singh is not just jumping over bars. She is jumping over doubts, injuries, and expectations. At 18, she represents hope, courage, and the future of Indian athletics. If she continues this path, Indian sport may soon witness something special a teenager touching the sky, one jump at a time.