SportsPosted at: Sep 29 2026 10:48PM


Baranica’s breakthrough bronze gives pole vault new push in India, feels coach

New Delhi, Sep 29 (UNI) Baranica Elangovan’s breakthrough Asian Games bronze has given her long-time coach Milber Bertrand Russell fresh belief that the 29-year-old can now aim higher and establish herself on the international circuit, while inspiring many youngsters to take up the discipline.
Baranica created history on September 25 in Nagoya by becoming the first Indian athlete, male or female, to win a pole vault medal at any major international competition, including Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games. She shared the bronze with Kazakhstan’s Polina after both cleared 4.15m. Japan’s Misaki Morota won gold with a Games record 4.55m, while China’s Niu Chunge took silver at 4.50m.
For Russell, the medal is not an end in itself but a platform for Baranica to push her limits.
“The next targets will be to consistently improve her personal best and move towards the 4.40-4.50m level. Beyond that, we want her to compete strongly at major international competitions and continue improving her position at the world level,” Russell said.
Baranica’s journey into pole vault was almost accidental. Russell, who had initially been involved with basketball, eventually took up coaching athletics and helped shape Baranica into a national-level athlete.
“I am a pole-vaulter by chance and it was my coach who brought me to this level,” said Baranica, whose personal best of 4.23m was once the national record before G. Sindhusree Ganesha improved it to 4.25m.
Baranica arrived at the Asian Games without being among the leading medal contenders. Her own focus was simply on improving her mark, making the podium finish all the more significant.
“No one was expecting me to win a medal. I only wanted to improve my personal best but I ended up on the podium. At least I have opened India’s account at the Asian Games and I thank my support team and family for this,” said Baranica to SAI Media.
Russell believes the medal was the result of keeping things simple under pressure. Rather than looking too far ahead, the pair concentrated on clearing each height and staying focused on the competition.
“For me, this medal is not the destination. It is the beginning of the next chapter for Baranica. We came to Nagoya with a realistic approach. We knew the competition would be very strong and that every athlete would be capable of performing at a high level.
“Our target was to take the competition one height at a time and focus on the process rather than thinking too much about the medal. We believed Baranica had the potential to fight for a medal, but we also knew that she had to execute well on the day. She showed a lot of fighting spirit and eventually won the medal,” said Russell.
The coach also hopes Baranica’s achievement can bring more attention to pole vault, an event that has traditionally struggled for the same visibility in India enjoyed by disciplines such as javelin, discus and shot put.
“When Indian athletes start performing well at international competitions, people begin to notice the event. Baranica winning an Asian Games medal will hopefully encourage more young athletes, coaches, and academies to take up the event,” says Russell.
For the event to grow, however, Russell believes India needs to invest more in its basic infrastructure and athlete development systems. Better facilities, equipment, coaching and regular international exposure, he feels, would give young pole vaulters a stronger pathway.
“We still need better facilities, equipment, proper coaching, and more opportunities for young athletes to compete and develop.
“As for Baranica, we need to make her stronger, improve her consistency in the approach and take-off, and develop her speed and power further. She also needs more experience at the highest international level,” said Russell.
Athletics continues to be one of India’s biggest medal-producing disciplines at major multi-sport events and usually sends the country’s largest contingent. Neeraj Chopra’s success has already transformed the profile of javelin in India. Russell and Baranica will hope her historic bronze can do something similar for pole vault.
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