New Delhi: Indian pole vaulting reached a historic milestone at the Federation Cup 2026 as Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar produced a remarkable performance to jointly set a new national record of 5.45 metres.
The competition turned into a thrilling contest between the two athletes, both supported by the Inspire Institute of Sport. The pair pushed each other throughout the event, matching performances height for height in one of the most exciting pole vault competitions seen in Indian athletics.
Both athletes first cleared 5.42 metres, surpassing the previous national record of 5.41 metres that had been set by Kuldeep Kumar earlier this month in Bhubaneswar. The competition then reached another level as both vaulters successfully cleared 5.45 metres, rewriting the national record once again.
Their achievement also secured qualification for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and met the qualification standard for the Asian Games, marking a major breakthrough for Indian pole vaulting on the international stage.
Speaking after the event, Dev Meena praised the intense competition and healthy rivalry between the two athletes. He said both pushed each other to aim for higher targets and expressed confidence that Indian pole vaulting could rise to even greater levels in the future.
Kuldeep Kumar highlighted the importance of support and teamwork in a technically demanding sport like pole vault. He also noted that the indoor event was a new experience for both athletes, adding that their strong performance indoors gives them confidence for future outdoor competitions.
The memorable contest showcased not only the rapid progress of Indian athletics but also the emergence of a strong generation of young field athletes capable of competing at elite international standards. The performances by Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar are being seen as a significant step forward for Indian track and field sports.
