India’s pole vaulting talent takes flight: 2 bronze medals at Sun Moon Lake meet

India’s young pole vaulting sensation continued to make waves on the international stage as Dev Kumar Meena and Nitika Akare clinched bronze medals at the Sun Moon Lake International Pole Vault Meet in Nantou, Taiwan, on Sunday.

In a thrilling contest, Dev Kumar Meena soared to a national record-equalling 5.40m to secure the men’s bronze, marking the second time he has cleared this height in the season. Despite three determined attempts at 5.50m, Meena narrowly missed breaking new ground but left the field in awe of his consistency and talent. With his eyes now set on achieving Asian Games and Olympic standards , Meena’s performance underscores India’s growing presence in track and field events traditionally dominated by other nations.

The women’s event also saw a spectacular breakthrough as 20-year-old Nitika Akare jumped to a personal best of 3.95m , a remarkable improvement from her previous bests around 3.70m. Her performance earned her a well-deserved bronze, reflecting the rising strength of India’s female athletes in high-performance athletics.

Both athletes celebrated their podium finishes with grinning wooden owl trophies , symbolizing not just victory but the promise of a bright future for India in pole vaulting. The impressive double-medal feat highlights the country’s emerging depth in the sport , with young talent steadily climbing the ranks on the global stage.

As India watches its next generation of track and field stars soar, performances like these hint at a new era of athletic excellence where national records and international glory are no longer distant dreams but tangible targets.