Leap of Glory! Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar Soar to Joint National Pole Vault Record

Indian athletics witnessed another unforgettable moment at the Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi as Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar soared into the record books with stunning performances in the men’s pole vault final.In a rare and dramatic feat, both athletes cleared 5.45 metres at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Morabadi, becoming joint holders of the national record.Kuldeep entered the competition as the national record holder after clearing 5.41m earlier this month. But during Sunday’s final, Dev Meena first surpassed that mark with a leap of 5.42m, briefly claiming the national record for himself. Minutes later, Kuldeep responded by clearing 5.45m.Just when the crowd thought the contest was settled, Dev rose to the challenge and matched the same height soon after, eventually winning gold on countback while Kuldeep settled for silver.Together, the training partners pushed Indian pole vaulting into a new era.A Rivalry Fuelled by FriendshipThe remarkable part of the story is that the two record-breakers are not rivals divided by competition. They are close friends and training partners. Both athletes train under coach Ghanshyam Yadav at Bhopal’s DSYW Academy and have spent years pushing each other to improve.Their chemistry and competitive spirit were visible throughout the event as each jump raised the intensity inside the stadium. Later, both athletes attempted 5.50m, hoping to push the national record even higher, but narrowly missed. Dev admitted he was slightly disappointed, believing they were capable of more.“We had started training here after arriving on the 20th, but the surface felt a bit sticky. So we were cautious about injuries,” he said after the event.Despite the conditions, both athletes not only shattered the national record but also crossed the Commonwealth Games qualifying mark of 5.25m and bettered the previous meet record of 5.35m.From National Heroes to a Cramped E-RickshawBut hours after their historic achievement, social media witnessed a completely different image, one that sparked outrage across the country.A viral video showed the newly crowned national record holders sitting inside a cramped e-rickshaw while manually carrying their five-metre-long fibreglass poles through the streets. The contrast was impossible to ignore.Only moments earlier, the duo had become the best pole vaulters India had ever produced. Yet they were left arranging transport for their highly specialised equipment on their own. The visuals triggered criticism online, with many questioning how elite athletes representing the country continue to struggle with basic logistical support.Pole vaulting equipment is expensive, fragile, and extremely difficult to transport. Athletes often depend on proper travel arrangements and support systems to compete safely. For many fans, the viral video symbolised the gap between sporting achievement and athlete welfare in India.Indian Athletics Refuses to Slow DownThe Federation Cup 2026 has turned into one of the most electrifying athletics events in recent memory. Just a day before the pole vault drama, Indian sprinting history was rewritten multiple times in the men’s 100m event. Now, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar have ensured the momentum continues.Their extraordinary duel was not just about medals or records, it was about belief, resilience, and the relentless rise of Indian athletics. And even if their journey home came in an e-rickshaw, their leap into history was nothing short of world-class.