Coach Cries as Student Breaks Her 14-Year High Jump Record

When 19-year-old Pooja sailed over 1.93 meters at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, she didn't just break a national record. She shattered a 14-year barrier set by the very person who believed in her most.

Sahana Kumari set India's high jump record of 1.92 meters back in 2012. Now a coach, she has spent years nurturing Pooja's raw talent into championship form.

As Pooja landed on the mat in tears after her record-breaking jump, Sahana was crying too. "I had always said that Pooja is the kid who can break my national record and she has done it today," Sahana told The Indian Express from Hong Kong.

The moment carried extra meaning because Sahana didn't just lose a record. She gained proof that her years of mentorship had worked.

Pooja's journey to this moment shows remarkable consistency. She's unbeaten at the national level in six competitions and holds both senior and junior Asian titles.

Sunny's Take

This story captures something beautiful about true mentorship. Sahana could have held her record close, treating it as her legacy to protect. Instead, she poured everything she knew into helping someone surpass it.

"She came and hugged me and it was a good feeling," Sahana said simply. Those words hide an ocean of emotion.

Pooja now trains under coach Biran Sergey, whose wife Svetlana Radzivil previously held the competition record Pooja just broke. He praised not just Pooja's talent but the foundation Sahana built.

"A big role was also played by her first coach, who gave her the love for sport, the desire to work hard and the right attitude towards training," Sergey said. He credits Sahana for instilling discipline and passion before he ever worked with Pooja.

The technical improvements are working. Pooja has broken her personal best twice this season, and experts believe she could eventually clear the 2-meter mark.

According to Sahana, Pooja's body coordination is exceptional for high jumping. "It is very rare for a high jumper to have equal hand action and leg lift," she explained.

Croat legend Blanka Vlasic, a two-time world champion, agrees. "Her progression is brilliant and she is just 19," Vlasic said last month.

The Athletics Federation of India, Olympic Gold Quest, and Anju Bobby George Academy have all supported Pooja's rise. This infrastructure, combined with passionate coaching, is creating opportunities for young athletes across India.

For Pooja, the World Championships await this year, but the main target is the Asian Games. Her team wants her in peak shape for that stage.

When a coach celebrates being surpassed, that's when you know the next generation is in good hands.