Kuldeep Kumar has established himself as India’s latest national record holder in men’s pole vault. At the inaugural Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault competition held in Bhubaneswar, the 21-year-old from Madhya Pradesh cleared a height of 5.41 metres, surpassing the previous national record of 5.40 metres set by Dev Meena. Meena, who finished third in the event, managed a clearance of 5.20 metres, while Reegan G secured second place at 5.25 metres.

This performance marks a significant milestone for Kumar, showcasing not only his athletic prowess but also the potential that remains largely untapped within Indian athletics. Such breakthroughs often go unnoticed, overshadowed by more mainstream sports in the country.

What further accentuates the significance of Kumar’s achievement is the context in which it occurred. His journey to this point has been fraught with challenges that illustrate the systemic issues faced by athletes in India.

Challenges Faced by Young Athletes

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