Reliance Foundation Athletes Baranica Elangovan And Reegan Ganesan's 'Vault of Faith'

Bamboo Sticks And Hay Beds To Fiberglass And Landing Pads': Reliance Foundation Athletes Baranica Elangovan, Reegan Ganesan’s 'Vault Of Faith

The art of athletics has lagged behind in the hierarchy of sports in the nation in the past, with the sprawling nation of multi-million people only able to produce world-class athletes sporadically and without any consistency of timing.

Considering the sporting landscape of the country, access to niche events in the world of athletics might be few and far between, but as the old adage goes, will finds a way.

With the nation's dream of hosting big-ticket events, the focus on the sporting pyramid has become more mainstream, with entities such as the Reliance Foundation playing a massive part in the ultimate Olympic Dream.

Foray Into Obscurity

Pole Vaulters Baranica Elagovan, and Reegan Ganesan, beneficiaries of the Reliance Foundation's efforts centered in Bhubaneshwar, shed some light on the culture of their sport of choice in the nation and the journey that led them to the side of the Foundation's quest for excellence.

“I'm from Mayiladuthurai and moved to Chennai for college. I was more inclined towards sports and was into jump events," Baranica began.

“I was new to the city and did not have access to coaches. I studied my UG in Ethiraj College, and my physical director suggested reaching out to the Milbur coach. Initially, I was sceptical, but watching my seniors tackle the challenge with elegance, I was taken by it. And that's how it started," the 28-year-old said.

“The formative years were challenging as pole vault requires you to build overall strength and mental resilience. I was exploring along with my seniors, and my interests blossomed. And at one event in 2018, I experienced a huge change and breached the meet record," she said, recollecting her joy.

“Access to proper nutrition was difficult, too, but my coaches supported me and made me believe," Baranica said in an expression of gratitude.

Reegan, the 24-year-old, who has been part of the Foundation for the past three months, recollected his foray into the sport, starting with bamboo sticks in place of the contemporary pole.

“I'm from Solangarai in Thanjavur, and my parents are farmers. I was into running and hurdles back in school and I got into Pole Vault then. I used to train with bamboo sticks, and my PT teacher was tutoring me. Initially, it seemed as though I wouldn't be cut out for it, but I started practising it back home, clearing around 2m. I reached the 3m mark by the time I was out of school."

“Around the 1940s, the bamboo technique was prevalent, before the times of fiberglass. The bamboo doesn't bend per se but scaling around 3m or so was possible. I was told I wouldn't be able to do it, considering my relatively shorter height, so I had the drive to prove it wrong," the 24-year-old said.

“I started pursuing BA in Loyola and Mohan sir helped me get professionally acquainted with fibreglass equipment. Don Wilcox was my first coach, he also trained former national record holder Shiva.

“My parents are supportive as well, my dad made me a hay-pad to help train, despite the ups and downs during initial phases and were delighted once things started clicking," Reegan added.

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Occupational Hazards

The sport of Pole Vault is notorious for its participants' susceptibility to injuries, and one needs to have the mental fortitude to deal with recurring setbacks on the training ground and on the event stage.

“Injuries are a part of the sport; I've hurt a lot of my body parts, but resilience is the key," Reegan opined.

Baranica, who is also no stranger to the depths of injuries, chimed in with her experience in dealing with fitness setbacks and the eventual recovery process.

“I had a trial for Southern Railways and I was training with a heavy pole to build confidence. But, I injured my ACL on my take-off leg in the lead-up to the event," Baranica, who levelled the Inter-State meet record at the recent iteration of the event in Chennai, said.

“I was anxious about how the injury would be perceived back home, especially while already dealing with a lot of social stigma around women in the countryside. But, my coach patched me through to doctor Santosh, who was incredibly helpful, immediately, so as not to squander my peak.

“Physio Hari was tending to my recovery, and around six months after the procedure, I wanted to participate in the Inter College Nationals and was performing rehabilitation activities three times a day," she said, reflecting on her times of tribulation.

“My doctor was initially furious as he thought I had rushed into competition, but eventually he was glad that my recovery had been rather quick," she continued.

“My run-up was put under the scanner and after evaluating my run-up rhythm, I was advised to go for a 10-straight. And I was able to breach 3.70m at the All Indian event, but was happy with my progress from recovery."

“I went on to do my personal best at the subsequent railways trials the next year with 3.90m and qualified for the job posting."

Atmospheric Boost

An atmosphere of healthy competition goes a long way in shaping the aspirations of an athlete and the presence of fellow Vaulters such as Rosy Meena Paulraj and Pavithra Venkatesh, who have done exceedingly well in recent years, has boosted her performances, felt Baranica.

“I was training at home during the COVID pandemic, and was only able to do static workouts, but was able to maintain my fitness. I was able to hit the same 3.90m mark at the Patiala nationals that season and I was glad with the showing."

“I started medalling at all the nationals and got support from competitors including Rosy Meea and Pavithra Venkatesh. We pushed each other on and the competition was incredibly. We egged each other on bit by bit, and we reached 4.10m," she recollected.

“And the feeling of competing at events with your training partners is a good scenario. And for a couple of years, it was all Tamil Nadu on the podium."

“I joined the Reliance Foundation in January 2023 on the back of my showing in the years leading up to it, after scouting. They have been covering my competition costs, and they support us with their technical and management teams," Baranica said.

“I want to work on my technique a bit and the foundation has helped me a lot," Reegan said echoing Baranica's sentiments.

“I'm living a dream life here. Back during college, things such as commute, food and nutrition requirements were not favourable. But the facilities and atmosphere here are incredible," he added.

No Pressure

Baranica also lent a window into the mind of an athlete as she revealed that sometimes the secret to a top-effort vault is the ability to not pile pressure on oneself.

“I breached the ATF qualification mark at the Indian Grand Prix, but I took up a lot of pressure on myself in order to qualify for the Asian event, which turned out to be counterproductive."

“And conversely, when I stopped piling pressure on myself, I was able to perform exceedingly well," she said.

“Last year I breached 4.15m at the open nationals, my PB. And this year, I was injured before the ATF in South Korea and missed the qualification mark."

“I had to participate in a couple of mandatory events despite the back pain, and I lowered my expectations considering the situation. But, surprisingly, I was able to do well."

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Travel Woes And Helping Hands

While most vaulters refer to their poles as a sort of companion, there come times when they have to be separated from their most prized assets, as transportation of equipment could prove to be a challenge when on tour.

“At times when you travel to events, carrying your equipment becomes challenging too, as there is a limit on the dimensions of the cargo," Baranica said.

“Most airlines decline such requests, and I had to borrow it from a fellow competitor whom I met at an event in Busan. She and her coach let me borrow their equipment, but it was difficult to adapt to the pole, and I could manage 3.80m," she added.

“I was able to breach the AL record and claim the All India gold, which helped me qualify for the World Universities Athletics Championships in Germany," said Reegan.

“Things did not go as well at the WUDC, where I was able to clear 4.85m, but I'm happy to have bounced back," he added.

Inspiration, Aspirations and Road Ahead

Usain Bolt has become a household name following the legendary Jamaican's unprecedented success in the more glamorous dash events, but Pole Vault icons have only sparsely made it to the headlines of the front and back covers.

However, celebrated names such as Renaud Lavillenie, Sergey Bubka, Yelena Isinbaeva, and, more recently, Mondo Duplantis, act as beacons for rising athletes to try and emulate.

“I looked up to Lavillenie; he was shorter relative to the field as well, but scaled heights, and I took inspiration from that."

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“My best now is 5.20m, at the latest event I took part in, and the qualification mark for the Asian Championships is 5.50m and that's what I'm looking at," Reegan said.

“I'm more in touch with my mind and body now and I have a better understanding. So I'm eyeing the Open Nationals Title this year and look to prepare for the Asian Nationals," Baranica signed off.

Source: News18
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