New Delhi:Pole vaulter Dev Meena has once again set a new national record this season, demonstrating his potential in one of athletics' most challenging events. The 19-year-old from Madhya Pradesh achieved a height of 5.35m at the National Federation Senior Athletics Championships in Kochi on Tuesday, marking the second occasion in recent months that he has broken the national record.

Previously, at the 38th National Games in February, Meena cleared 5.32m to establish a new benchmark. Although he did not meet the qualifying height of 5.51m for the Asian Championships, he remains optimistic about the upcoming season. 'I aimed to surpass my previous height, but due to light rain, I followed my coach's advice to stop, as the conditions were not safe and could have resulted in injury,' Meena stated. 'I am eager for the World University Games and aspire to qualify for the Asian Games next year,' he added.

Meena has only been pole vaulting for a little over three years, having transitioned from sprinting, yet he is making significant progress. Initially hesitant to try pole vaulting due to concerns about the cost of equipment, he was persuaded by coach Ghanshyam Yadav to pursue the sport. Hailing from Kheda in the Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, Meena trains in Bhopal, where the pole vault academy operated by the Madhya Pradesh State Sports Department offers him the necessary resources for training and competition.

'I was scouting for talent when I noticed Dev at a competition. I inquired if he would be interested in pole vaulting, but he was reluctant, citing the expense of the equipment and his family's financial constraints,' Ghansyam recalled. After some persuasion, Dev enrolled in the Tantya Tope Academy in Bhopal, where the MP sports department covers all his expenses, including accommodation, travel, nutrition, and equipment.

The academy hosts around ten pole vaulters. Dev has claimed the National Games title twice and is beginning to establish himself on the international stage, having won a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships (U-20) in Dubai last year, clearing a height of 5.10m.

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