Madhya Pradesh Athletes Break National Pole Vault Record at Senior Athletics Competition

Madhya Pradesh's Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar set a new national pole vault record of 5.45 meters at the National Senior Athletics Competition in Ranchi. Both athletes surpassed the previous record and achieved Commonwealth Games qualification. Other standout performances included Murali Sreeshankar in long jump and Sarvesh Anil Kushare in high jump. The competition highlighted the rising talent in Indian athletics, with several athletes meeting qualification standards for upcoming international events. Read on for detailed results and highlights from this exciting event.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 24, 2026, 23:04 IST

Record-Breaking Performance in Pole Vault

In a remarkable display of talent, Madhya Pradesh athletes Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar achieved a new national record in men's pole vault by clearing 5.45 meters during the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition held in Ranchi. Meena clinched the gold medal, while Kumar took home the silver, both surpassing the previous record of 5.41 meters set by Kumar himself in Bhubaneswar.

Both athletes have also met the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 5.25 meters. The previous meet record of 5.35 meters was established by Meena last year. As training partners and friends, they aim to replicate their success on the international stage. "It was a great day for us, and we will keep motivating each other to achieve even greater heights," Meena expressed joyfully after his victory.

Sreeshankar and Kushare Shine in Field Events

In the long jump event, Murali Sreeshankar secured the gold medal with a leap of 8.08 meters, exceeding the Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 8.05 meters.

Maharashtra's Sarvesh Anil Kushare dominated the men's high jump, winning gold with a height of 2.28 meters, which also surpassed the CWG qualification mark of 2.22 meters. Kushare matched the meet record set by Tejaswin Shankar but fell short in his attempts to break the national record of 2.29 meters. Silver medalist Aadarsh Ram also achieved the CWG qualification mark.

Highlights from Other Events

Tejas Ashok Shirse from Reliance excelled in the men's 110m hurdles, clocking in at 13.50 seconds, which improved his own meet record of 13.61 seconds, although he missed the CWG qualification time of 13.39 seconds.

In the morning session, Haryana's Ravina won gold in the women's 10,000m race walk, finishing in 44:29.66 seconds, which was below the CWG qualification time of 44:44.58 seconds.

Competition Results Overview

Men's Events:

1500m (CWG Q time 3:30.82 secs): Rahul Baloda (Rajasthan) 3:40.06 secs, Sakir (Haryana) 3:40.83 secs, Ajay Kumar Saroj (Uttar Pradesh) 3:40.92 secs.

110m hurdles (CWG Q time 13.39 secs): Tejas Ashok Shirse (Reliance) 13.50 seconds (MR), Krishik M (Reliance) 13.52 secs, Muhammed Lazan (Navy) 13.83 secs.

Pole vault (CWG Q mark 5.25m): Dev Kumar Meena (Madhya Pradesh) 5.45m (NR), Kuldeep Kumar (Madhya Pradesh) 5.45m, Reegan G (Tamil Nadu) 5.15m.

High jump (CWG Q mark 2.22m): Sarvesh Anil Kushare (Maharashtra) 2.28m (MR), Aadarsh Ram (Tamil Nadu) 2.22m, Sudeep (Karnataka) 2.12m.

Long jump (CWG Q mark 8.05m): M Sreeshankar (NCOE Trivandrum) 8.08m, S Lokesh (Reliance) 7.94m, Mohd Atta Sazid (Haryana) 7.90m.

Discus throw (CWG Q mark 64.56m): Dharamraj Yadav (Army) 55.20m, Bhartpreet Singh (Navy) 54.62m, Oinam Alson Singh (NCOE Patiala) 53.52m.

Women's Events:

100m hurdles (CWG Q time 12.67 secs): Nandhini K (Tamil Nadu) 13.24 secs, Pragyan Prashanti Sahu (Odisha) 13.33 secs, Anjali C (JSW) 13.35 secs.

10,000m race walk (CWG Q time 44:44.58): Ravina (Haryana) 44:29.66 secs, Reshma Patel (All India Police) 44:57.94 secs, Munita Prajapati (Uttar Pradesh) 45:23.92 secs.

Hammer throw (CWG Q mark 66.80m): Manpreet Kaur (Punjab) 59.08m, Kulvinder Kaur (Railways Sports) 57.76m, Divya Shandilya (Odisha) 56.41m.