Dev Kumar Meena's historic performance at Asian Games-2026: sets a new national record: Madhya Pradesh Athletics Academy athlete betters his own national record in men's pole vault
Dev Kumar Meena, a talented athlete from the Madhya Pradesh State Athletics Academy, delivered a stellar performance in the men's pole vault at the 2026 Asian Games, setting a new national record. Competing in the men's pole vault final held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Dev Kumar Meena cleared a height of 5.50 meters, establishing a new milestone in Indian athletics. While Dev Kumar Meena set the new national record by clearing 5.50 meters, Kuldeep Kumar secured the 10th position in the competition by clearing a height of 5.35 meters.
A 5.50-meter vault: Surpassing his own record
Dev Kumar Meena successfully cleared the 5.50-meter mark on his second attempt in the final. His previous national record stood at 5.46 meters, set during the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship held in Bhubaneswar in June 2026. By clearing 5.50 meters at the Asian Games, Dev improved upon his own national record.
Subsequently, Dev attempted to clear the 5.60-meter mark. Although he could not clear this height, his record-breaking vault of 5.50 meters set a new benchmark for Indian pole vaulting on the Asian Games stage. Dev Kumar Meena finished 7th in the men's pole vault final with his best vault of 5.50 meters. Despite missing out on a medal, his record-breaking performance marked a significant achievement for Indian athletics.
Kuldeep Kumar secures 10th place by clearing 5.35 meters
Kuldeep Kumar, also an athlete from the Madhya Pradesh State Athletics Academy, delivered a strong performance in the men's pole vault final. He secured the 10th position by successfully clearing a height of 5.35 meters. The presence and performance of Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar on a major international stage like the Asian Games highlight the strong standing of Madhya Pradesh's athletic talent.
Impressive Performance in the Asian Games Final
Dev Kumar Meena began the final by clearing a height of 5.05 meters. He subsequently cleared 5.20 meters on his second attempt and 5.35 meters on his first. He further cemented his mark in Indian athletics by achieving a record-breaking vault of 5.50 meters.
From the Madhya Pradesh State Athletics Academy to the Asian Games
The training and guidance received at the Madhya Pradesh State Athletics Academy played a pivotal role in this achievement. The success of both Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar is a result of the training, consistent practice, and coaching guidance provided by the Academy.
Both athletes have consistently performed well in the pole vault this year. Dev’s new national record of 5.50 meters and Kuldeep’s clearance of 5.35 meters demonstrate the continuous development of the Academy's sporting talent.
Dev and his training partner, Kuldeep Kumar, have delivered consistently outstanding performances in the pole vault this year. In May, both athletes set a national record by clearing 5.45 meters, while in June, Dev claimed the record for himself with a vault of 5.46 meters. The sustained excellence of talent emerging from Madhya Pradesh's sports academies on the international stage is a testament to the state's sports training system and the athletes' hard work.
Dev’s Hard Work Reaches Record Heights
Dev Kumar Meena’s performance of 5.50 meters at the Asian Games reflects his continuous improvement and unwavering determination. Just months after setting a national record of 5.46 meters in June, he surpassed his own record. According to World Athletics records, Dev's 5.46-meter performance stands as his national record.
Minister for Cooperatives, Sports, and Youth Welfare, Vishwas Kailash Sarang, has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar for their outstanding performances at the Asian Games. Dev's record-breaking 5.50-meter jump and Kuldeep's 10th-place finish with a clearance of 5.35 meters represent remarkable achievements for Indian athletics.