Asian Games 2026: Debutant Pooja Singh Ends 24-Year Wait with Women’s High Jump Bronze

Nineteen-year-old high jump sensation Pooja Singh announced herself on the Asian Games stage in impressive fashion, winning the bronze medal in the women’s high jump final at the 2026 Asian Games.

Congratulations to debutant Pooja on winning the Women’s High Jump Bronze with a 1.84m clearance at the #AsianGames2026! A historic first medal for India in this event since 2002.#Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/RQmn9xH6WQ

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 29, 2026

Making her Asian Games debut, Pooja cleared 1.84 metres to secure third place and contribute India’s 50th overall medal of the Games.

A proud moment for Indian athletics!

Congratulations to Pooja on winning the Bronze medal in the Women’s High Jump at the Asian Games 2026. This is India’s first medal in the event at the Asian Games since over two decades. It’s truly a memorable achievement. Best wishes for her… pic.twitter.com/Ah1yJ0vot2

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 29, 2026

Her podium finish also ended a long wait for India in the women’s high jump at the Asian Games. The country had last won a medal in the event when Bobby Aloysius claimed silver at Busan 2002, meaning Pooja has restored India to the continental podium after a 24-year gap.

Pooja Joins Sarvesh Kushare on High Jump Podium

Pooja’s bronze came shortly after compatriot Sarvesh Anil Kushare won silver in the men’s high jump with a clearance of 2.25m.

The two performances gave Indian athletics a memorable double podium in the high jump events at the 2026 Asian Games.

Uzbekistan’s Sayfullaeva Takes Gold

Uzbekistan’s Barnokhon Sayfullaeva won the women’s high jump gold medal after clearing a personal best of 1.90m.

Kazakhstan’s Kristina Ovchinnikova secured silver with a 1.87m clearance, while Pooja Singh took bronze at 1.84m on countback.

From Haryana to the Asian Games Podium
Hailing from Haryana and the daughter of a mason, Pooja has rapidly emerged as one of India’s promising young athletics talents.
Before making her Asian Games debut, she had already set the Indian national record of 1.93m at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships. She also won gold at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships.

Although her 1.84m clearance in Aichi-Nagoya was below her national-record mark, producing a podium performance on her first Asian Games appearance represents another significant milestone in her developing career.

At just 19, Pooja Singh’s Asian Games bronze adds another encouraging chapter to India’s growing presence in high jump and strengthens expectations around the next generation of Indian track and field athletes.