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Sports India News Updated May 24, 2026

Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar Set New National Record in Pole Vault

Madhya Pradesh's Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar set a new national record of 5.45 metres in men's pole vault at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi. Dev Kumar Meena won the gold medal while Kuldeep Kumar settled for silver, both surpassing the previous record of 5.41m. Other standout performances included Sarvesh Anil Kushare winning high jump gold with 2.28m and Murali Sreeshankar winning long jump gold with 8.08m. Several athletes achieved Commonwealth Games qualification marks during the competition.

National Senior Athletics Federation Competition: Dev Kumar Meena, Kuldeep Kumar set new benchmark in pole vault

Ranchi, May 24

Madhya Pradesh's talented athletes Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar raised the bar to 5.45metres to set a national record in the men's pole vault on the penultimate day of the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition here in Ranchi.

Both the athletes bettered the previous national men's pole vault record of 5.41m, but Dev Kumar Meena walked away with the gold medal while Kuldeep Kumar settled for silver (on countdown). The previous record of 5.41m was set recently by Kuldeep Kumar in Bhubaneswar. The gold and silver medallists have also achieved the Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 5.25m. The meet record was 5.35m, set last year by Dev Kumar Meena.

Training partners and close friends, Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar's next goal is to repeat their performance at the international level. "It was a good day for us, and we will continue to push each other to further raise the bar in future," jubilant Dev Kumar Meena said after winning the gold on Sunday. If the spotlight was on sprinters on Saturday, the main attraction on Sunday was the field events.

At the long jump pit, Murali Sreeshankar won the gold medal with a jump of 8.08m, which was better than the CWG qualification mark of 8.05m.

Sarvesh Anil Kushare of Maharashtra dominated the men's high jump. His gold-medal-winning performance of 2.28m was better than the CWG mark of 2.22m.

Kushare also equalled the meet record set by Tejaswin Shankar. He also raised the bar to 2.30m to improve the national record of 2.29m, but missed all three attempts. Aadarsh Ram, winner of the silver medal, also achieved the qualification mark of CWG (2.22m).

The men's 110m hurdles were dominated by Tejas Ashok Shirse representing Reliance. His gold-winning time was 13.50 seconds. He improved his own meet record of 13.61 secs but missed out on winning a CWG berth. The qualification time was 13.39 secs.

Earlier in the morning session, Ravina, representing Haryana, won the gold medal in the women's 10,000m race walk with a time of 44:29.66 seconds, which was better than 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.

— ANI

Reader Comments

Priya S

Sarvesh Anil Kushare ka high jump performance dekh ke to dil khush ho gaya! 2.28m aur CWG qualification mark bhi cross kar diya. Lekin national record ke liye 2.30m pe teen attempts miss karna thoda disappointing raha. Agli baar pakka! 💪

Vikram M

Murali Sreeshankar ne long jump mein 8.08m ka jump karke CWG qualification mark pa liya. Kafi consistent performer hai ye. Ummeed hai ki Commonwealth Games mein medal layenge. Discus throw ka level thoda low tha, uspe kaam karne ki zaroorat hai.

Ananya R

Yeh dekhkar bahut achha laga ki Indian athletics mein pole vault jaise events mein record toot rahe hain. Dev aur Kuldeep dono training partners hain, isliye ek dusre ko push karte rehte hain. Saath mein national record banana to kamaal hai! 👏

Rohit P

Sirf pole vault hi nahi, poore competition mein bahut saare athletes ne CWG qualification mark achieve kiya. Tejas Ashok Shirse ne 110m hurdles mein apna hi meet record toda, lekin CWG time 13.39 se thoda short raha. Agli baar improve karenge. Sports infrastructure mein aur investment chahiye.

Kavya N

Ravina ka women's 10,000m race walk mein CWG qualification time se better performance to outstanding hai. Haryana ki beti ne phir se desh ka naam ro

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