National record holder G Sindhushree set a new benchmark in Indian pole vault after overcoming major financial struggles, winning gold at the National Inter-State Championships and securing qualification for the Asian Games.
The Karnataka athlete, who lost her father in 2022, said she had been forced to train and compete with inadequate equipment due to lack of funds. In the absence of a proper pole, she had been using shorter, worn-out equipment until she recently managed to borrow a longer pole from a friend just weeks before the event.
Competing with that borrowed equipment, the 25-year-old produced a breakthrough performance, clearing 4.25m to surpass the previous national record of 4.20m set by Tamil Nadu’s Baranica Elangovan only a month earlier. The jump also earned her a place at the Asian Games.
Sindhushree, from Bhadravati in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, dedicated her achievement to her late father, recalling how he supported her sporting ambitions and encouraged her early training. She said his dream was for her to represent India internationally, a goal she now aims to fulfil.
She revealed that her father, an electrician, had been the strongest supporter of her decision to pursue sports, even when other family members were hesitant. After his death, her mother, who works as a tailor, and her grandfather have helped support her financially.
The athlete also spoke about ongoing struggles, including the lack of sponsorship and stable employment, saying she has been trying to secure a job to support her family.
Sindhushree began her sporting journey as a 400m runner before transitioning to pole vault in 2017 under the guidance of a local coach. Since then, she has gradually improved, though she had only one major domestic medal prior to this gold.
Her coach said her patience and perseverance have been key to her progress, despite years of limited resources and suboptimal training conditions. He believes that with proper equipment and support, she has the potential to improve further, possibly crossing 4.30m at the Asian Games.
