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G Sindhushree set a new national pole vault record at 4.25m to win gold at National Inter State Championships.
G Sindhushree poses after qualifying for Asian Games. (Screengrab/IG/__i__fly__without__wings__)
National record-breaking pole vaulter G Sindhushree overcame severe financial and equipment challenges to produce the performance of her life at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar (Odisha), winning gold and sealing an unexpected qualification for the Asian Games. The 25-year-old from Bhadravati in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district cleared 4.25m to set a new national record, surpassing Tamil Nadu athlete Baranica Elangovan’s one-month-old mark of 4.20m.
In doing so, she clinched the gold medal and secured her place for the Asian Games.
Her achievement came just weeks after she managed to borrow a longer pole from a friend- an essential piece of equipment she had been struggling without since her father’s death in 2022, which left her without the financial support needed to properly fund her training and competition needs.
“My father died in 2022 due to heart attack. What I achieved today is all because of my father. Every morning, he would take me for running and he wanted me to play for the country in international events. I am going to fulfil his dream with the Asian Games (participation),” said Sindhushree, holding a photo of her father.
“I qualified for the World University Games but my father was not there to watch me. I am the first one doing sports in my family, other members do want to send a girl to sports. My father fought with all of them and so I joined SAI hostel in Bengaluru in 2016. I started my sports journey at that time.”
Her father, R Ganesh, was an electrician, while her mother works as a tailor.
“Since my mother is looking after my younger sister’s study, my grandfather is supporting me financially,” said an emotional Sindhushree, who dedicated her gold and the Asian Games qualification to her father.
She currently has no sponsors or stable employment, making it difficult to sustain her athletic career.
“I have no sponsors, no job and it’s difficult to manage. I was searching for a job but could not find as my performance was not coming. I am hoping to get a job after this performance. I need to help my family,” said the 159cm (5 feet two-and-half inches) pole vaulter.
Sindhushree improved her personal best by 25cm, having previously cleared 4m at the Indian Athletics Series 6 in Chennai in May. Until now, her only medal at a major domestic championship was a silver at the 2023 National Inter-State Championships at the same venue, where she cleared 3.80m.
Her progress has also been shaped by persistent equipment shortages. Due to financial constraints, she was unable to purchase a proper pole and had been training and competing with shorter, worn-out equipment.
“I didn’t have a proper pole earlier. All the poles were shorter and they have become loose after competitions. I did training and learned techniques with shorter poles, that was why I could not do well in earlier competitions like the Federation Cup.
“Luckily, I came here with a longer pole which was actually brought by a friend of mine. I got this just a few days back and I could do better here.”
Originally a 400m runner, Sindhushree was shifted to pole vault in 2017 by a local coach. My coach said I can do better in pole vault.”
Reflecting on her Asian Games qualification, she said, “It seems it’s a dream, It all happened because of my father (above).”
Her coach Vijeesh MM praised her resilience and patience.
“Her patience is her strength, because the performance was not coming for many years, she was not competing with proper poles and she has financial difficulties.
“With right poles and right nutrition support, she will do better in the Asian Games. She does not need to focus on her technique. I am hoping that she can go above 4.30m.”
The bronze medal mark in the 2022 Asian Games was 4.30m.
With PTI Inputs
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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