Eighteen-year-old Pooja Singh from Bosti village, Haryana, scripted history on May 30, 2025, by clinching the gold medal in women’s high jump at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, with a personal best of 1.89m.

This remarkable feat not only ended a 25-year wait for India in this event but also marked Team India’s seventh gold at the championships. Pooja, who overcame significant financial and infrastructural challenges, outjumped seasoned competitors from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Her victory has been widely celebrated by officials, coaches, and athletes, who hailed it as a turning point for Indian athletics and a beacon of hope for grassroots sports.

From Bosti Village to the Asian Podium: Pooja’s Inspiring Journey

Pooja Singh’s story is rooted in the humble surroundings of Bosti village in Haryana’s Fatehabad district. Born to a family of limited means—her father is a mason and her mother a homemaker—Pooja’s early life was marked by financial hardship.

Despite these challenges, her athletic talent was evident from a young age. Initially drawn to yoga and gymnastics, she was spotted by coach Balwan Singh Patra at a local yoga camp in 2018. Recognising her exceptional flexibility and agility, he encouraged her to pursue high jump.

With no access to standard training facilities, Pooja practised using bamboo poles as crossbars and makeshift landing mats fashioned from rice husk and hay.

Her dedication was unwavering, even after a serious injury forced her to take a 15-month break from the sport. Returning stronger, she set a national U16 record and steadily rose through the ranks, eventually winning gold at the Asian U18 Championships and breaking her own U20 national record with her 1.89m leap in Gumi.

A Triumph of Grit, Community, and Determination

Pooja’s ascent to the top of Asian athletics is a testament to her resilience and the power of community support. Throughout her journey, she faced numerous obstacles, from training without proper equipment to competing in torn shoes patched with Kinesiology tape.

Despite these odds, her focus and determination never wavered. “The competition was very good, my body was functioning very well. I almost cleared the record of 1.92m but missed by a little margin, but 1.89m is my personal best and I was able to record that,” Pooja said after her win. Her coach, Balwan Singh, reflected on her journey: “Bringing her up from grassroots till here has been a difficult journey.

The resources were limited. Her family is not financially well off but they fully supported her.” National record holder Tejaswin Shankar called her performance “the greatest by an Indian at this meet,” highlighting the significance of her victory for the country’s athletics community.

A New Era for Indian Women’s High Jump

Pooja’s gold medal is only the second for India in the women’s high jump at the Asian Athletics Championships, following Bobby Aloysius’s win in 2000. Her achievement is particularly significant given the dominance of athletes from Central Asia and China in this discipline.

Pooja’s rise through the ranks—despite a lack of resources and recognition—signals a shift in the narrative for Indian field events, which have often been overshadowed by track disciplines. Her success has inspired renewed interest in grassroots sports and highlighted the importance of nurturing talent in rural India.

Officials from the Athletics Federation of India have pledged greater support for athletes from underprivileged backgrounds, acknowledging that Pooja’s journey exemplifies the untapped potential across the country.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Pooja Singh’s golden leap is a shining example of how determination, community support, and opportunity can transform lives. Her journey from a small Haryana village to the top of the Asian podium embodies the values of empathy, resilience, and hope that The Logical Indian stands for.

As India celebrates her historic achievement, we must reflect on the broader question: How can we create a more inclusive and supportive environment for every aspiring athlete, regardless of their socio-economic background?