Chuki Birda Sets New National Pole Vault Mark at 3.91m

Chennai, October 24

Rajasthan athlete Chuki Birda raised the standard in women's pole vault at the National Junior Athletics Championship 2026 in Chennai. Competing in the Under-20 category on Saturday, she cleared 3.91 metres to take the gold medal and set a new national record.

Her clearance surpassed the previous national record of 3.90 metres, which was set last year by Vanshika Ghanghas. The result also provided a strong performance on the second day of the event, which featured four new records across the track and field programme.

The championship's previous meet record in the discipline was 3.80 metres, set by Karthika V. Birda's leap moved well beyond that benchmark.

In the same event, Jeena Basil of Kerala finished second with a height of 3.80 metres, while Tanishka Daima of Madhya Pradesh took third with 3.50 metres.

The day also saw Tanu Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh set a meet record in the Under-18 women's 400 metres, and Ramu of Telangana break the national record in the men's Under-18 400 metres. Tharnesh C of Tamil Nadu improved the national mark in the Boys Under-16 shot put.

The national junior championship continues to highlight the depth of athletics talent across India, with several athletes raising their personal and national benchmarks in Chennai.