Dev Meena targets personal best at inaugural Indian Indoor Open pole vault in Bhubaneswar
Synopsis
Dev Kumar Meena arrives in Bhubaneswar as India's pole vault standard-bearer, chasing a personal best that could cement his Commonwealth Games berth and edge him closer to the Asian Games 5.45m mark. At 20, with a national record already in hand, the Madhya Pradesh athlete represents a generation shift in Indian field events — one increasingly competitive and internationally calibrated.
Key Takeaways
Dev Kumar Meena , 20-year-old national record holder, competes at the inaugural Indian Indoor Open in Bhubaneswar starting Saturday .
His national record stands at 5.40m , set in July last year and equalled in March at a Taiwan invitational.
Commonwealth Games qualification standard for men is 5.25m (already achieved); Asian Games standard is 5.45m .
Fourteen men pole vaulters and eleven women competitors registered; Baranica Elangovan (national record 4.22m ) leads the women's field.
Meet features 80+ athletes across pole vault, heptathlon, and pentathlon disciplines.
Dev Kumar Meena, the 20-year-old national record holder from Madhya Pradesh, is eyeing a personal best performance at the inaugural Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition, which begins on Saturday at Bhubaneswar's Indoor Stadium. The two-day meet, organised under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in coordination with the Government of Odisha, will feature more than 80 athletes across pole vault, heptathlon, and pentathlon disciplines.
Dev Meena's current form and targets
Dev Meena arrives in Bhubaneswar on the back of a strong season. In March, he equalled his national record of 5.40m at an invitational meet in Taiwan, and posted 5.25m at domestic competitions earlier this year. The pole vaulter, who first set the national record at 5.40m in July last year, has trained extensively at Kalinga Stadium (Indoor) ahead of the competition. "My goal here in Bhubaneswar is to do my personal best," he said.
Commonwealth Games and Asian Games qualification in sight
Dev Meena has two major international targets this season: the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Japan Asian Games. The AFI qualification standard for the Commonwealth Games in men's pole vault is 5.25m, which Dev Meena has already achieved. However, the Asian Games standard is set at 5.45m, requiring a marginal improvement from his current national record. For women, the Commonwealth Games mark is 4.45m and the Asian Games standard is 4.10m.
Competitive field in men's pole vault
Fourteen pole vaulters will compete in the men's event on the opening day. Notable competitors include Kuldeep Kumar from Madhya Pradesh and Reegan G from Tamil Nadu. The men's U20 pole vault event will feature seven confirmed participants.
Women's pole vault: Baranica Elangovan in focus
The women's pole vault final takes place on Sunday, with eleven athletes registered. The standout name is national record holder Baranica Elangovan, whose season and personal best of 4.22m also stands as the national record. A women's U20 competition will also be held.
Multi-event programme
Beyond pole vault, the inaugural meet features heptathlon for men and pentathlon for women, each contested in senior and U20 categories. The men's heptathlon comprises 60m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60m hurdles, pole vault, and 1000m. The women's pentathlon includes 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800m.
Point of View
Long the weak link in a track-focused system, are producing internationally competitive talent. At 20, with a national record and credible qualification paths to two major Games, he embodies a new generation unafraid of technical disciplines. The real test, though, is consistency at the highest level — India's pole vault history is littered with promising debuts that did not translate into medals. If Meena clears 5.45m this season, he becomes not just a name but a genuine medal prospect.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dev Kumar Meena and what is his national record?
Dev Kumar Meena is a 20-year-old pole vaulter from Madhya Pradesh who holds India's national record of 5.40m, which he set in July last year and equalled again in March at an invitational meet in Taiwan.
What are the qualification standards for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games?
For the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the men's pole vault qualification standard is 5.25m, which Dev Meena has already achieved. For the Japan Asian Games, the standard is 5.45m, requiring a marginal improvement from his current national record.
When and where is the inaugural Indian Indoor Open pole vault competition?
The inaugural Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Bhubaneswar's Indoor Stadium in Odisha, organised by the Athletics Federation of India.
Who are the other notable competitors in the men's pole vault event?
Fourteen pole vaulters are competing in the men's event, including Kuldeep Kumar from Madhya Pradesh and Reegan G from Tamil Nadu. Seven additional athletes are registered for the men's U20 category.
Who is Baranica Elangovan and what is her record?
Baranica Elangovan is India's women's pole vault national record holder with a season and personal best of 4.22m. She is the standout competitor in the women's pole vault final scheduled for Sunday, with eleven athletes registered for the event.
