NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh athletes Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar both cleared 5.45 meters to break the national pole vault record during the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi on Sunday. Dev Kumar Meena won the gold medal on countback after a closely contested battle on the third and penultimate day of the event.
Joint National Record Holders Face Transport Struggles
Hours after becoming joint national record holders, both athletes were seen traveling in an e-rickshaw with their poles and equipment loaded alongside them after leaving Birsa Munda Stadium. The images drew strong reactions online, with many questioning the lack of support for athletes. Pole vault equipment is specialized, heavy, and delicate, but the two athletes had to arrange transport for the equipment in an e-rickshaw.
Earlier this year, Dev and Kuldeep had also faced problems while traveling after the All India Inter-University Championships. Both were asked to get off a train at Panvel station by a traveling ticket examiner while returning from the event. Railway officials asked them to pay a penalty for carrying their pole vault equipment inside the coach, referring to the poles as steel pipes.
Outstanding Performances in Ranchi
Their struggles away from the field contrasted sharply with their performances in Ranchi, where the men's pole vault final became one of the major highlights of the competition. Kuldeep had entered the event as the national record holder with a mark of 5.41 meters, but Dev was the first to surpass it after clearing 5.42 meters during the competition.
The lead changed within minutes as Kuldeep responded by clearing 5.45 meters. Dev then matched the same height, ensuring that both athletes finished the event as joint national record holders. Although both cleared 5.45 meters, Dev Kumar Meena claimed the gold medal on countback, while Kuldeep Kumar finished with silver.
Understanding Countback
Countback is the tie-breaking method used in pole vault and high jump events when athletes clear the same height. The winner is decided based on who needed fewer attempts during the competition. Both athletes also crossed the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 5.25 meters set by the Athletics Federation of India.
The images of the athletes traveling in an e-rickshaw with their equipment have sparked a debate about the facilities and support provided to athletes in India. Many social media users expressed outrage, highlighting the disparity between the athletes' achievements and the treatment they receive off the field.
