Tamil Nadu’s Bharanika Ilangovan has scripted a new milestone for Indian athletics by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in pole vault at the Asian Games.
In the women’s pole vault event held on Thursday, Bharanika and Karnataka’s Sindhu Sree represented India. Bharanika cleared 3.85m and 4.00m early, before managing 4.15m on her second attempt.
Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova also cleared 4.15m on her second try. Both athletes failed to clear 4.25m despite three attempts each, leaving them tied for the bronze position.
A tie-breaker was scheduled to decide the bronze, but it was not held after both athletes agreed to share the medal. Japan’s Misaki won gold with 4.55m, while China’s Sunge took silver with 4.50m.
Bharanika, 29, hails from a farming family in Kuthalam in Mayiladuthurai district. She began athletics at the age of six, initially competing in long jump and triple jump, before switching to pole vault after joining college. In March, she set a national record by clearing 4.22m at an indoor meet, and has now added an Asian Games medal to her achievements.
