Bhubaneswar: Karnataka athlete Sindhushree G created history by rewriting a new National Record of 4.25m in the Women's Pole Vault at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships here at Kalinga Stadium on Thursday.
The previous national record of 4.21m was set by Rosy Meena Paulraj in 2022 at the Indian Championships in Bengaluru. In the process Sindhuhree breaches the 4.10m Asian Games qualification mark.
Sindhushree said "I am happy that I was able to achieve a new height in my life. Unfortunately, I lost my father three years ago, but I strongly believe that he was with me today, that’s why I was able to break the national record. My coach Vijeesh MM made me good enough to reach this stage but when I cleared the height and touched the crossbar, I knew my father was supporting me from heaven".
National record holder Animesh Kujur booked his place for the Asian Games qualification by clocking 20.87s in the men's 200m heats. In the final with a time of 20.74 seconds he claimed the gold medal.
