Historic Night for Indian Pole Vaulting at National Athletics Cup

The 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Cup in Ranchi witnessed an extraordinary evening as Kuldeep Kumar and Dev Meena both cleared 5.45m in pole vault, setting a new national record. Their thrilling competition captivated the audience and highlighted the rapid advancements in Indian athletics. Additionally, Gurindervir Singh made history by clocking a sub-10.10 seconds in the men's 100m, further emphasizing the rising standards in the sport. This article delves into the remarkable achievements of these athletes and their implications for future competitions.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 25, 2026, 01:56 IST

A Record-Breaking Evening in Ranchi

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], May 24: The 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Cup marked a significant milestone for Indian pole vaulting as Kuldeep Kumar and Dev Meena engaged in an exhilarating contest, both achieving a remarkable height of 5.45m at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Sunday.

This final became a highlight of the event, with both athletes consistently challenging each other in front of an enthusiastic audience in Ranchi.

Kuldeep entered the competition as the holder of the national record at 5.41m, but Dev quickly surpassed this mark, clearing 5.42m to set a new record.

However, Kuldeep responded impressively by clearing 5.45m shortly after.

Not to be outdone, Dev matched this height, resulting in both athletes sharing the national record at 5.45m.

This achievement was particularly noteworthy as both athletes also met the qualification criteria for the 2026 Asian Games.

With the crowd fully engaged, both competitors attempted to clear 5.50m to further extend the national record. Although neither succeeded, their thrilling rivalry had already made this event a standout moment of the Federation Cup.

The intense competition between Kuldeep and Dev showcased the impressive advancements in Indian athletics, especially in men's pole vault, where the national record was broken multiple times within a single event.

In another remarkable feat, Gurindervir Singh became the first Indian man to run the men's 100m in under 10.10 seconds, achieving a national record time of 10.09 seconds.

The 24-year-old improved the previous national record by 0.06 seconds, which had just been set by Animesh Kujur in the semifinals. Interestingly, Gurindervir had briefly held the record himself with a time of 10.17 seconds before Animesh surpassed it with a 10.15-second run.

Gurindervir's record-breaking performance not only solidified his status but also ensured that both sprinters qualified for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where they will represent India in the men's 100m.