Baranica Elangovan vaults to a new mark in National Indoor championships

Sarun Payasingh upset Praveen Chithravel to take the men’s long jump crown.
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BISWARANJAN ROUT

Tamil Nadu’s Baranica Elangovan went past Rosy Meena Paulraj’s National record with a mark of 4.22m to win the women’s pole vault title on the opening day of the inaugural National Indoor athletics championships at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

Baranica, who surpassed Rosy’s 2022 mark of 4.21m, was delighted with her effort. “It’s a good day for me, I entered my name in the record books. I had been trying hard to cross 4.20m but today turned out to be my lucky day,” said the 29-year-old, who went for 4.25m but could not achieve it.

Local favourite Sarun Payasingh, a footballer-turned athlete, upset Praveen Chithravel to take the men’s long jump crown with a personal best of 7.80m, achieved in his second attempt. Chithravel was second with 7.78m, also recorded in his second attempt, following a keen contest with Sarun.

The results (winners only): Men: 800m: Mohammed Afsal (IAF) 1:47.86; 3000m: Shivaji Parashuram (Rel) 8:09.88; 60m hurdles: Krishik M. (Kar) 7.71; long jump: Sarun Payasingh (Odi) 7.80m; shot put: Ravi Kumar (BSF) 17.17m. U-20: 800m: Lokesh Magendhiran (TN) 1:53.92; shot put: Omkar Prasad Nanda (Odi) 17.77m.

Women: 3000m: Priyanka C. (Kar) 9:42.05; shot put: Rekha (NCOE, Patiala) 15.63m; pole vault: Baranica Elangovan (TN) 4.22m; long jump: Anamika K.A. (JSW) 6.05m. U-20: Shot put: Dona Maria (Ker) 13.35m.