National Champion: Haryana Girl Sets New High Jump Record!

A new star has emerged from the humble streets of Bosti village in Haryana's Fatehabad district. Pooja, daughter of a local mason, has not just won gold at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand but also broke the national record in high jump with an impressive leap of 1.84 meters.

Pooja's achievement is even more remarkable considering her humble background. She does her training at Parta Sports Academy under coach Balwan patra and dedicate 8 hours daily to practice at the local government school ground. Pooja's determination never wavered inspite of financial constraints and waiting for two years for pending scholarship payments.

"This medal belongs to my coach and parents," says Pooja, speaking about her victory. Her father continues his work as a mason while her mother manages their household, supporting their daughter's dreams despite limited means. The family's unwavering support, combined with Pooja's relentless dedication, has culminated in this historic achievement. 

The competition was fierce at the National Games, with Tamil Nadu's Gobika securing silver with a 1.79m jump and another Haryana athlete, Rekha, claiming bronze with 1.77m. Pooja's jump of 1.84m surpassed the previous national record of 1.83m set by Swapna Barman in 2022.

Coach Balwan Parta sees this as just the beginning. "Despite limited resources, Pooja has shown what dedication can achieve. With proper support and timely disbursement of scholarships, our athletes can reach even greater heights," he says, highlighting the need for better support systems for emerging athletes.