Once again, the young star has proved his class. At the Nantou Sun Moon Lake International Meet in Taiwan, Dev Meena cleared 5.40m, equalling his own national record.
Same height, same result, but a much bigger message.
This was only his second competition of the 2026 season, yet he already looks in control. Just days ago, he opened his season with 5.25m in Bengaluru. Now, he is back at his best.
And it could have been even better. Dev attempted 5.50m, a height never cleared by an Indian. He missed, but only just. That attempt tells the real story. He is not chasing records anymore. He is chasing history.
A Star Who Delivers, Again And Again
Since 2025, Dev Meena has been on a different level:
- 5.32m – National Games (NR)
- 5.35m – Federation Cup (NR)
- 5.40m – World University Games (NR)
- 5.40m – Taiwan 2026 (NR equalled)
This is not a one-time performance. This is consistency. This is dominance. Every competition, he shows up. Every time, he delivers!
From 5.20m To 5.40m – A Giant Leap
Just two years ago, his personal best was 5.20m.
Today, he is a national record holder, a medal winner at the Asian U-20 level, and one of India’s brightest athletics prospects. He has rewritten the record books three times in one year.
And he is still improving. The bigger picture is waiting. The Asian Games qualification mark is 5.45m. No Indian male pole vaulter has ever qualified.
Dev Meena is just 5 cm away. That gap is small. The dream is huge. With the Commonwealth Games standard already breached and major events ahead, Dev is now carrying the Indian pole vault into unknown territory.
FINAL WORD
This 5.40m jump is not just about matching a record. It is about sending a message. Dev Meena is no longer chasing Indian records. He is ready to challenge Asian standards.
And the way he is jumping right now, 5.45m is not a question of “if”. It is a question of “when”.