Indian athlete Baranica Elangovan made history by securing a bronze medal in the women’s pole vault at the 2026 Asian Games, held on September 25 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This achievement marks a significant milestone as Baranica becomes the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in this event, as reported by Olympics.com. Her performance involved clearing a height of 4.15 metres, a feat that placed her in a tie for third place with Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova.

Both athletes successfully cleared the 4.15m bar, but were unable to surpass the subsequent 4.25m height. As they finished with identical heights and number of attempts, they were awarded the bronze medal jointly. This historic achievement underscores Baranica’s position in Indian athletics, showcasing her exceptional talent in a discipline where the country had not previously secured a medal.

India’s Overall Medal Tally Increases

Baranica’s accomplishment has contributed to India’s overall medal tally, which now stands at 23 medals, comprised of two golds, nine silvers, and 12 bronzes. This total reflects the nation’s growing success in various sports at the continental event. The Indian contingent’s performance has been bolstered by several remarkable individual performances, showcasing the depth and talent within the team.

Earlier in the day, athlete Gulveer also stood out by finishing second in the men’s 10,000m event with a time of 28:29.38, earning a silver medal. In addition, Manpreet Kaur secured bronze in the women’s shot put after achieving her best throw of 17.17 metres on her fourth attempt. These successes highlight the competitive spirit and dedication of Indian athletes at the Asian Games.

In shooting, the team of Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh triumphed in the 10m air pistol mixed event, while Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil, and Niraj Kumar secured silver in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event. The performances across multiple disciplines illustrate India’s expanding prowess in diverse sports fields.

Excelling In Team Sports And Other Events

The Indian mixed doubles table tennis pair of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale reached the semi-finals, ultimately earning a bronze after their defeat by the Chinese duo of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha. Furthermore, in squash, the mixed doubles team of Joshana Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar progressed to the semi-finals, ensuring another medal for India. Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh also advanced to the singles semi-finals, showcasing the strength of Indian players in racket sports.

In kabaddi, both men’s and women’s teams have successfully secured their spots in the finals after winning their semi-final matches against teams from Thailand and Nepal. The success of these teams not only reflects the athletes’ skills but also emphasises the significance of kabaddi in India’s sporting culture.

In hockey, the Indian women’s team delivered a strong performance, defeating Japan 3-1 in their Pool B match. Additionally, swimmer Rishabh Das finished sixth in the men’s 200m backstroke final, and weightlifter Seram Nirupama Devi ranked seventh in the women’s 61kg category. Boxer Preeti’s journey, however, concluded in the round of 16 after a 0-5 loss to North Korea’s Pang Chol Mi, which demonstrates the competitive nature of boxing at this level.

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