Pole vaulter Dev Meena breaks nationwide report

The 19-year-old from Madhya Pradesh scaled 5.35m to create a brand new nationwide report on the Nationwide Federation Senior Athletics Championships in Kochi on Tuesday. This was the second time in current months that Meena has shattered the nationwide mark. On the thirty eighth Nationwide Video games in February, Meena cleared 5.32m to set a brand new report. Although Meena fell in need of the qualifying mark (5.51m) for the Asian Championships, he was waiting for the season.

“I wished to boost the bar however there was gentle drizzle and I didn’t proceed on the recommendation of my coach. It was not gripping and will have led to harm,” stated Meena. “I’m wanting ahead to the World College Video games and need to qualify for the Asian Video games subsequent yr,” he stated.

It’s only somewhat over three years that Meena began pole vaulting, switching from dash, however the teenager is taking large strides. He by no means considered attempting pole vault however coach Ghanshyam Yadav satisfied him to take up the game. Coming from Kheda in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, Meena has been coaching in Bhopal. The pole vault academy run by Madhya Pradesh State Sports activities Division gives him with the services to coach and compete.

“I used to be looking for skills once I noticed Dev in a contest. I requested him whether or not he want to do pole vault however he was not prepared. He advised me the gear can be expensive and his household wouldn’t be capable of afford it,” recollects Ghansyam.

It took some convincing earlier than Dev joined the Tantya Tope Academy in Bhopal. Every thing from his keep, journey, food plan and gear is being taken care of by the MP sports activities division. There are near 10 pole vaulters within the academy. Dev has received the Nationwide Video games title twice and has began to make a mark on the worldwide degree as properly. He received bronze on the Asian Junior Athletics Championships (U-20) in Dubai final yr, clearing 5.10m and likewise competed on the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima. These experiences have helped him progress and lift the bar.

“He may have crossed 5.40m right this moment however due to rain and wind, we determined to not take extra makes an attempt. You will need to keep injury-free. He’s very devoted and disciplined and has a giant profession forward of him,” stated Ghanshyam, a former pole vaulter who has accomplished a World Athletics teaching course and takes care of younger expertise within the MP academy.

The academy has now introduced in former worldwide Angel Eduardo Garcia Esteban of Cuba to coach Dev and the opposite trainees. “I’m studying so many new issues kind him. He has modified my strides on the runway, and different technical adjustments like bending the pole and so on. The exercises are very fascinating. It has given me lot of confidence and you may see the consequence right here,” stated Dev.