Bhubaneswar, June 24: Dev Kumar Meena made headlines on Wednesday by setting a new national record in the men’s pole vault at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship 2026 held in Bhubaneswar. Competing at Kalinga Stadium, the young athlete cleared a height of 5.46 meters, breaking the previous record and securing his spot for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
This achievement comes just a month after Dev shared a national record with Kuldeep Kumar at the Federation Cup in Ranchi, where both athletes had cleared 5.45 meters. By surpassing that mark by one centimeter, Dev has now claimed the national record for himself.
Dev’s performance not only highlights his consistent improvement but also reflects the ongoing progress in Indian men’s pole vaulting. In less than two years, the national record has been broken five times.
Demonstrating remarkable consistency, Dev successfully cleared the bar at 5.46 meters. This accomplishment not only earns him a place in the record books but also strengthens his position ahead of crucial international events. Dev’s success marks a significant milestone and is one of the most exciting stories in Indian athletics, showcasing his rise to new heights in pole vaulting.
In addition, Anushka Yadav delivered an impressive performance in the women’s hammer throw, setting another national record by achieving a throw of 65.64 meters at the Inter-State Championship. With this record-breaking throw, Anushka has also secured her place for the Asian Games 2026.
Earlier, Jyoti Yaaraji, known as the queen of the hurdles, made a comeback after a long injury layoff. She qualified for the Asian Games 2026 with a controlled run in the women’s 100-meter heats, clocking a time of 3.14 seconds in her season debut.
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