National Games 2025: Dev Meena Sets New National Record in Pole Vault, His Cuban Coach Targets 5.60m

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Indian athletics witnessed a breakthrough moment at the National Games 2025 as Dev Meena soared to a new national record in the men's pole vault, clearing 5.32m.

However, despite the record-breaking effort, Meena fell short of the Asian Athletics Championships qualification mark of 5.51m set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). Saying that, Dev Meena has now emerged as the brightest-ever prospect for India in the discipline.

The 19-year-old young man hails from the small village of Shilfod Kheda in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district and trains at the MP Athletics Academy, which has provided him with the necessary support and exposure. Prior to his national record, Meena had already made his mark by winning gold at the 27th Senior National Federation Championship in Bhubaneswar with a jump of 5.10m and securing a historic bronze at the 21st Asian Junior Athletics Championship (U-20) in Dubai-the first international pole vault medal for Madhya Pradesh.

While Meena's latest achievement is a milestone, pole vaulting at the Asian and Olympic levels remains a formidable challenge. At the last Asian Games, the gold medal was won at 6.02m, while the bronze was secured with a 5.65m effort -- both significantly ahead of Meena's current mark. The Olympics present an even greater leap, with Swedish legend Armand Duplantis setting the world record at 6.25m and the bronze medal position requiring a jump of 5.90m.

Coach's Perspective: Aiming for 5.60m

Meena's Cuban coach Angel Eduardo Garcia, who has been instrumental in his recent progress, remains optimistic about the future. Speaking about his performance, he said, "It's very good. The conditions of the competition were favourable, and this is my first experience here in India. I think there is a lot of talent, and if they work hard, they will go a long way. Dev jumped his best today, and he is excellent in training."

On India's pole vaulting prospects, Garcia emphasized, "There is a lot of potential, both among male and female athletes. The record of 5.32m can be surpassed, and with dedicated effort, they can aim for 5.50m and even 5.60m." His belief in Meena's capabilities reflects the growing ambitions in the Indian pole vaulting community.

Addressing his role in shaping Meena's career, the coach highlighted the importance of physical conditioning and institutional support. "I advise him to train hard. Energy, resistance, speed, and gym work are crucial. The government's support has been beneficial, and it helped him achieve this result today," Garcia said.

Meena's achievement at the National Games 2025 is a significant step forward for Indian pole vaulting, a discipline where the country has yet to make a major impact in Asia. While the road to continental and Olympic success remains long, his progress under the guidance of his coach offers hope that India's struggles in the sport may soon come to an end.