Indian Indoor Open: Kuldeep Kumar eclipses Dev Meena for new national record

Bengaluru: Madhya Pradesh's Kuldeep Kumar eclipsed event favourite and state-mate Dev Meena for new national record at 5.41m at the inaugural Indian Indoor Open combined events & pole vault competition in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Prayagraj-born athlete surpassed Dev's record of 5.40m, which came at the Taiwan Sun Moon Lake International Pole Vault Championships last March.

Interestingly, Kuldeep's previous best of 5.25m came in Bengaluru a week before that when the duo, coached by Ghanshyam Yadav, competed at the Indian Open Jumps in Kengeri. 

"I was looking to break the national record since I did 5.25m in Bengaluru," Kuldeep told DH from Bhubaneswar.

"Once I cleared 5.35m comfortably today, I knew the record is within my reach. I went for 5.46m too but missed it by a bit. That makes me confident that I will reset the national record again later this year."

20-year-old Dev, meanwhile, finished third with an attempt of 5.20m while second spot went to Tamil Nadu's Reegan (5.20), who made the fewest attempts to clear the height.

Meanwhile, women's pole vault record holder Baranica Elangovan will be in action on Sunday while men's heptathlon and women's pentathlon winners will also be decided on the day.

Result: Men: Pole vault: Kuldeep Kumar (MP) 5.41m, 1; Reegan (TN) 5.20,2; Dev Meena (MP) 5.20, 3.

U-20: Kavinraj (TN) 4.90, 1; R Vishal (TN) 4.70, 2; Saurabh Yadav (UP) 4.20, 3.