The national record fell twice as Kuldeep and Dev Meena lit up the men’s pole vault

Kuldeep Kumar and Dev Meena lit up the 2026 Federation Cup in Ranchi on Sunday with a thrilling pole vault match as the duo broke the men’s national record twice before finishing as joint record holders.

Pole vaulter Dev Meena breaks national record at Federation Cup 2026 (@afiindia Photo)

The men’s pole vault final of the 2026 Federation Cup turned into a record-breaking spectacle on Sunday as Kuldeep Kumar and Dev Meena scaled historic heights in Ranchi.

What started with Kuldeep holding the national record at 5.41m soon turned into a dramatic showdown between two of India’s best pole vaulters. Dev struck first, clearing 5.42m to surpass Kuldeep’s previous mark and briefly take ownership of the national record.

However, the lead did not last long. Kuldeep responded with a superb clearance of 5.45m to claim the record and further increase the intensity of the competition. Minutes later, Dev responded once more, equaling a 5.45m effort to ensure both athletes finished the evening as joint national record holders.

The performances also had added significance as both vaulters crossed the qualification mark for the 2026 Asian Games.

With the crowd fully behind them, Kuldeep and Dev attempted 5.50m in a bid to extend the record. Not one of the athletes was able to cross the bar, but at that time the competition had already brought one of the decisive moments of the Federation Cup.

The repeated exchange of the national record in a matter of minutes highlighted the rising standards in Indian pole vaulting, with Kuldeep and Dev delivering a contest that kept the crowd in suspense till the very end.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

24 May 2026 20:44 IST

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