Indian pole vault star Dev Meena opened his season with an impressive performance at the Indian Open Jumps competition, clearing 5.25m to win the gold medal and narrowly missing the national record in an ambitious attempt at 5.41m.
The competition, which brought together some of the country’s leading jumpers, also witnessed an encouraging performance from Kuldeep Kumar, who registered a lifetime best of 5.25m, signalling growing depth in the Indian men’s pole vault discipline. With the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games cycle approaching, the performances from both athletes have offered an optimistic outlook for Indian athletics in the event.
Dev Meena Opens Season in Strong Fashion
Dev Meena, who currently holds the Indian national record in the men’s pole vault, started the competition confidently and cleared 5.25m with authority to secure the gold medal. After clearing the height alongside Kuldeep Kumar, the bar was raised to 5.35m, where the contest began to intensify.
Kuldeep attempted the height three times but was unable to clear it. Dev Meena, meanwhile, made two attempts at 5.35m before opting for a bold move raising the bar directly to 5.41m, which would have broken his own national record. The attempt was tantalisingly close.
On his final effort, Meena narrowly missed clearing the bar, leaving spectators with a glimpse of what could soon be another milestone for Indian pole vault.
Despite the miss, his early-season performance reinforced his position as the country’s leading athlete in the event.
A Remarkable Rise in Recent Years
Dev Meena has been one of the most consistent performers in Indian pole vault in recent seasons. Last year marked a breakthrough campaign for the athlete, as he improved the national record three times across major competitions.
His progression came through impressive performances at key domestic and international meets:
- National Games – 5.32m
- Federation Cup – 5.35m
- World University Games – 5.40m
The steady progression in heights demonstrated both his technical refinement and increasing confidence at the elite level. Speaking earlier about his ambitions, Meena had reflected on the previous season by saying he believed he was capable of clearing 5.45m, a height that would place him among the leading vaulters in Asia. His performance at the Indian Open Jumps suggests that goal may not be far away.
Kuldeep Kumar Produces Personal Best
While Meena claimed the spotlight with his near-record attempt, Kuldeep Kumar’s performance was equally encouraging for Indian athletics. Kuldeep cleared two consecutive personal best heights 5.20m and 5.25m during the competition, showcasing impressive improvement.
The 5.25m clearance now ranks as India’s third all-time best height in men’s pole vault, underlining the quality of his effort. Kuldeep’s recent progress is particularly noteworthy given the challenges he has faced in recent years. The athlete had been working his way back after a difficult injury period, and his resurgence comes after shifting his training base to Bhopal, where he now trains at the DSYW Academy alongside Dev Meena.
Training together appears to have benefited both athletes, creating a competitive environment that pushes them to achieve higher standards.
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The presence of two athletes capable of clearing 5.25m or higher is a promising development for Indian pole vault. For many years, the event in India lacked depth, with only a handful of athletes consistently competing at elite heights.
Now, with Meena leading the way and Kuldeep closing the gap, the discipline appears to be entering a more competitive phase. Healthy internal competition often plays a critical role in raising performance levels, and the partnership between the two athletes in training could accelerate India’s progress in the event.
The timing of these performances is particularly significant given the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games cycle. Both Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar have already cleared the Commonwealth Games qualification standard, placing them firmly in contention for selection.
The final selection for the Commonwealth Games team will be decided at the Federation Cup, which traditionally serves as a key qualifying event for Indian athletes. Meanwhile, qualification for the Asian Games will be determined at the Inter-State Championships. The Asian Games qualification standard currently stands at 5.45m, a height Meena believes he is capable of achieving.
The performances at the Indian Open Jumps suggest that Indian pole vault is entering an exciting phase. Dev Meena continues to push the national standard higher, while Kuldeep Kumar’s emergence provides additional depth and competition within the event. With major international competitions on the horizon, both athletes will be aiming to improve their heights further and secure places in the national team.
For Indian athletics fans, the sight of Meena narrowly missing 5.41m may serve as a reminder that the national record could soon be under threat once again. If the early signs from the season opener are any indication, it may only be a matter of time before the bar rises even higher for Indian pole vault.
