V. S. Surekha is a trailblazing Indian pole vaulter who has played a pivotal role in popularizing women’s pole vaulting in the country. She made history by becoming the first Indian woman to clear the 4.00-meter mark, breaking new ground in an event traditionally dominated by international athletes. Surekha set her first national record in 2003 by clearing 3.51 meters at the 43rd Open National Athletic Championship in Bangalore. She continued to raise the bar, literally and figuratively, by setting the current Indian national record of 4.15 meters at the National Open Championships in New Delhi in November 2014. Over her career, she has represented India at major international competitions, including the 2006 Doha Asian Games, the 2009 and 2013 Asian Athletics Championships, the 2003 Afro-Asian Games, and the 2005 Asian Championships. A highlight of her international achievements was winning the gold medal at the 2018 Korean Open Athletics Championships. Through her consistent performances and record-breaking feats, V. S. Surekha has inspired a new generation of Indian athletes and established herself as a pioneering figure in women’s athletics.
