Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar Create History with Joint National Record in Pole Vault at Federation Cup 2026
Indian athletics witnessed another extraordinary chapter at the Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi as Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar produced one of the greatest pole vault competitions in the country’s history.
In a dramatic evening filled with constant twists, momentum shifts and national records, both athletes cleared 5.45m to become joint national record holders in the men’s pole vault. Their performance not only rewrote Indian athletics history but also secured qualification for the 2026 Asian Games.
What unfolded in Ranchi was far more than a normal domestic competition. It was a battle between two athletes continuously pushing each other beyond their limits, with the national record changing hands multiple times within minutes. Coming into the competition, Kuldeep Kumar held the national record at 5.41m, which he had achieved earlier this season. Dev Meena, however, arrived in Ranchi in outstanding form and looked determined to reclaim the record.
The breakthrough moment came when Dev successfully cleared 5.42m, surpassing Kuldeep’s previous national mark of 5.41m. For a few minutes, Dev Meena stood alone as India’s national record holder once again.
But the drama was far from over.
Less than five minutes later, Kuldeep Kumar responded in sensational fashion. Rising to the occasion under immense pressure, he cleared 5.45m to reclaim the national record and once again place his name at the top of Indian pole vault history. The competition had already become unforgettable, but Dev Meena still had one response left.
Soon after Kuldeep’s successful attempt, Dev returned to the runway and cleared 5.45m himself, equalling the national record and ensuring both athletes would share the historic achievement.
The sequence perfectly captured the spirit of elite sport. One athlete broke the national record. The other immediately answered back. Then came another response. In the span of a few minutes, Indian pole vaulting entered an entirely new level.
Eventually, both athletes attempted 5.50m but could not clear the height. Dev Meena was awarded the gold medal due to fewer overall fouls during the competition, while Kuldeep Kumar settled for silver despite matching the record mark.
Yet, the bigger story was not about gold or silver. It was about two Indian athletes simultaneously reaching a level that very few believed possible just a few years ago.
The 5.45m clearance also carried major significance internationally. Both Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar surpassed the Athletics Federation of India’s qualification standard for the 2026 Asian Games, confirming their places among Asia’s leading pole vaulters heading into the continental cycle. For Indian athletics, the event represented another sign of rapid progress across disciplines.
Pole vault has traditionally not been among India’s strongest events internationally. National records improved slowly for years, and Indian vaulters often struggled to remain competitive against Asia’s elite athletes from countries like China, Japan and Kazakhstan.
However, the emergence of athletes like Dev and Kuldeep is changing that narrative. Their rivalry is beginning to resemble the kind of internal competition that drives world-class performances globally. Rather than one athlete dominating alone, India now has multiple vaulters consistently pushing each other to higher marks.
That competitive environment is critical for long-term progress.
Dev Meena’s rise has been particularly impressive over the last two seasons. The Rajasthan athlete has steadily improved technically and physically, becoming more consistent with bigger heights. His confidence throughout the Ranchi competition reflected the maturity of an athlete now comfortable performing under pressure. Kuldeep Kumar, meanwhile, continues to establish himself as one of the most exciting talents in Indian field events. Calm under pressure and technically sharp throughout the evening, he showed remarkable composure to respond immediately after losing the national record.
The manner in which both athletes handled the pressure of record attempts also stood out.
Pole vault is among the most technically demanding disciplines in athletics. Margins are incredibly small, and confidence plays a massive role in execution. To repeatedly clear personal best heights in a high-pressure national competition speaks volumes about their mental strength. Importantly, this performance now places Indian pole vaulting in a stronger position ahead of upcoming international competitions.
The Asian Games qualification mark of 5.45m was considered a significant target for Indian vaulters. Both athletes not only achieved it but did so while breaking the national record. The next challenge will naturally be the 5.50m barrier and beyond.
Globally, elite pole vaulters regularly operate above 5.70m, but Indian athletics is finally beginning to build a foundation capable of narrowing that gap. With proper international exposure, coaching support and competition opportunities, both Dev and Kuldeep could continue progressing over the next Olympic cycle. For now, though, Ranchi belongs to them.
On a remarkable night at the Federation Cup 2026, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar did not just compete against each other they elevated Indian pole vaulting to heights it had never reached before.
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