Madhya Pradesh Athletes Set New National Record in Men's Pole Vault at National Championships

Record-Breaking Performance in Ranchi

Ranchi (Jharkhand) - On May 24, Madhya Pradesh's exceptional athletes, Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar, achieved a remarkable feat by clearing 5.45 meters, establishing a new national record in the men's pole vault during the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition held in Ranchi.

Both athletes surpassed the previous national record of 5.41 meters, but it was Dev Kumar Meena who clinched the gold medal, while Kuldeep Kumar took home the silver. The former record was recently set by Kuldeep Kumar in Bhubaneswar. Both medalists have also met the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 5.25 meters. Notably, the meet record of 5.35 meters was established by Dev Kumar Meena last year.

As training partners and close friends, Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar are now focused on replicating their success on the international stage. "Today was a fantastic day for us, and we will keep motivating each other to elevate our performance further," expressed a delighted Dev Kumar Meena after his victory.

While sprinters captured attention on Saturday, the spotlight shifted to field events on Sunday. In the long jump, Murali Sreeshankar secured the gold medal with a leap of 8.08 meters, surpassing the Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 8.05 meters.

Maharashtra's Sarvesh Anil Kushare excelled in the men's high jump, winning gold with a height of 2.28 meters, which also exceeded the CWG qualification mark of 2.22 meters. He equaled the meet record set by Tejaswin Shankar but fell short in his attempts to break the national record of 2.29 meters. Aadarsh Ram, who won silver, also achieved the CWG qualification mark.

In the men's 110m hurdles, Tejas Ashok Shirse from Reliance dominated with a time of 13.50 seconds, improving his own meet record of 13.61 seconds, although he missed the CWG qualification time of 13.39 seconds.

Earlier in the day, Ravina from Haryana won gold in the women's 10,000m race walk, clocking 44:29.66 seconds, which was below the Commonwealth Games qualification time of 44:44.58 seconds.

Results:

Men:

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 improves his own meet record of 13.61 secs), 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 previous record 5.41 set by Kuldeep Kumar), 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 equalled), 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:

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.