During the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Cup at Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, India, Kuldeep Kumar and Dev Meena made history by both clearing 5.45 meters, thereby jointly setting a new national record in men's pole vault. The competition became a thrilling spectacle as both athletes pushed each other to achieve greater heights, with Kuldeep initially holding the record at 5.41 meters. Dev Meena first broke this record by clearing 5.42 meters, only for Kuldeep to respond with a clearance of 5.45 meters shortly thereafter. Meena matched this height, solidifying their status as joint record holders. Their performance also secured qualification for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. The event highlighted the rapid advancements in Indian athletics, particularly in pole vaulting, as both athletes attempted to further extend the record to 5.50 meters, though they were unable to clear that height. This competition not only marked a significant achievement for the athletes but also reflected the growing competitiveness in Indian sports.