From Reluctance to Record-Breaking: Baranica Elangovan's Pole Vault Odyssey
When Baranica Elangovan first attempted pole vaulting during her second year of college, she approached the event with palpable hesitation. The discipline, renowned for demanding immense power and fearless execution, appeared an improbable match for someone significantly underweight—tipping the scales at just 42 kilograms, over 10 kilograms lighter than most vaulters—and grappling with uncertainty.
A Slow-Burning Passion Ignites
That initial reluctance gradually transformed into a deep fascination, which soon blossomed into an unwavering passion. The very event she once viewed with caution became an inseparable part of her life. "Progress came in fragments, but I kept at it," reflects Baranica, who recently shattered the national record by clearing 4.22 meters at the National Indoor Athletics meet in Bhubaneswar.
Her athletic journey began elsewhere. "I started as a triple jumper," says the 29-year-old. "I moved from Mayiladuthurai to Chennai with aspirations of building a career in sports. Initially, I represented my college in basketball. It was around that time that coach Milber Russell was scouting for athletes interested in pole vault. My physical education teacher, Uma Devi at Ethiraj College, encouraged me to give it a try."
Overcoming Initial Doubts and Physical Challenges
Baranica's hesitation stemmed from practical concerns. "I thought the pole would be heavy and I wouldn't be able to run with it," she admits. However, witnessing her seniors soar through the air during their vaults sparked a genuine interest. "Coach Milber thought I wouldn't last more than a week due to the workout intensity. But I started from scratch, trained sincerely, and stayed committed. I trained alongside national-record holder V S Surekha, the first Indian woman to breach the 4-meter barrier. She became a profound inspiration for my journey."
Her underweight stature presented immediate equipment challenges. "I initially trained with only two standard poles, the only ones available," Baranica explains. "They didn't suit my body weight, so I struggled at events." After a three-year lull, she secured her first medal, only to face a severe setback six months later—a knee injury requiring surgery that sidelined her for several years.
Perseverance Through Injury and Doubt
The prolonged recovery period tested her resolve. "There were so many moments of doubt, but I refused to let them hold me back," she asserts. A breakthrough arrived in 2018 at the All-India Inter University meet, where she jointly broke the meet record with a 3.8-meter vault, marking her first major victory.
Yet, adversity struck again. Six months later, she underwent surgery for a grade-3 knee injury in her take-off leg, returning to competition earlier than medically advised, pushing through significant pain. "Last year, I endured six months of back pain. My parents have always been supportive, but people around them questioned their decision to let me continue with the sport."
Refining Technique and Setting New Goals
Despite these hurdles, Baranica consistently finished in the top three at national-level competitions. "Now we have access to a variety of poles," she notes. "My coach believes that if we had them earlier, we could have focused far more on building strong basics at the start of my career. Earlier, I concentrated mainly on jumping rather than technique. That has changed." The Tamil Nadu athlete currently trains at the Reliance High Performance Centre in Odisha.
Her aspirations are clear. "My goal is to be like pole vaulter Armand Duplantis," Baranica states. "Clearing every centimeter requires immense mental strength, and breaking one's own records is no easy feat. What sets him apart is his excellent take-off." With the Asian Games less than six months away, Baranica has firmly set her sights on this prestigious competition.
G Reegan's Parallel Rise in Pole Vaulting
Until last year, Tamil Nadu's G Reegan remained a relatively unknown name in pole vaulting circles. His profile changed dramatically when he clinched a joint gold with a 5.2-meter leap at the Inter-State Athletics Meet in Chennai. He subsequently set a national record at 5.3 meters in the recent National Indoors, now ranking as India's third-best pole vaulter across indoor and outdoor marks.
Hailing from a farming family in Thanjavur, Reegan would return from school daily to assist his parents by carrying sacks of produce. "I think this helped me gain raw power which aided in pole vaulting," says the 24-year-old. He trained initially with bamboo sticks in sand pits, enduring several bad falls during landing practice but managing to rebound stronger each time.
"I have had plenty of failed jumps and have escaped serious injury many times. It is hard work that has brought me here," Reegan emphasizes. "Pole vault is as much a mental game as it is physical. You need immense self-belief." Having cleared the Commonwealth Games qualifying mark, Reegan now also targets success at the upcoming Asian Games.
