MP’s Meena equals nat’l pole vault record in Taiwan

Bhopal: India's pole vault sensation Dev Kumar Meena, who hails from Madhya Pradesh, equalled his own national record with a 5.40m clearance at the Nantou Sun Moon Lake International Pole Vault Invitational in Taiwan on Sunday, while settling for bronze. There was further success for the state as Nikita Akare claimed bronze in the women's event with a jump of 3.95m. Meena, a 20-year-old from the MP Athletics Academy, has already been hailed as India's most promising pole vaulter, showcased his raw talent and composure under pressure. Meena, hailing from the heartland state, not only matched his previous best but pushed the boundaries further by attempting 5.50m. Though he narrowly missed it, the effort underscored his ambition and potential on the global stage. This marks only his second competition of the season; in his debut outing at the Indian Open Jumps, he had cleared a solid 5.25m, signaling a rapid upward trajectory. Meena's performance is more than a personal milestone — it's a beacon for Indian pole vaulting. The Asian Games 2026 qualification standard stands at 5.45m, a mark yet to be breached by any Indian male vaulter in history. With this fearless clearance and a near-miss at 5.50m, Meena has positioned himself tantalisingly close to shattering that barrier. No Indian man has ever qualified for the Asian Games in this event.