Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday witnessed a new national record on the opening day of the 1st National Indoor Athletics Championships, with Tamil Nadu’s Baranica Elangovan winning the women’s pole vault.
She broke Rosy Meena Paulraj’s national record by clearing 4.22m to claim the first prize.
Kerala’s Blessy Kunjumon finished second with 3.95m, while bronze went to another Keralite, Mariya Jaison, who cleared 3.80m.
World Athletics does not differentiate between indoor and outdoor performances when it comes to pole vault records. The current men’s world record of 6.31m, set earlier this month by Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, was also achieved indoors.
Elangovan’s national record-setting 4.22m jump, however, is subject to ratification by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
The opening day also saw thrilling performances across multiple events.
In the men’s long jump, triple jump national record-holder and Asian Games bronze medallist Praveen Chithravel secured silver with a 7.78m effort. Gold went to Sarun Payasingh, who edged him out with a 7.80m jump, while David P claimed bronze with 7.69m. Although Chithravel has competed in the long jump previously, his appearances have been limited, according to olympics.com.
The men’s 800m title was won by Asian Games silver medallist Mohammed Afsal P, who clocked 1:47.86. Kalyan J R finished second in 1:53.98, while Sayan Karmakar took third with 1:56.98.
The day also featured senior men’s and women’s competitions in 3000m, shot put, long jump, 60m hurdles, and 800m, setting the tone for an exciting championship.
The Championships will conclude at Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday.
Earlier, Suryabanshi Suraj, Odisha Minister of Sports & Youth, graced the opening ceremony and was felicitated by Bahadur Singh Sagoo, President of the AFI.
