National record holders Dev Kumar Meena of Madhya Pradesh and Baranica Elangovan of Tamil Nadu will be among the top draws in the inaugural Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition, which begins in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
The two-day meet will be held at the indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium complex, which hosted the inaugural National Indoor Championships in March. The facility will also host the World Indoor Championships in 2028.
Meena has had an impressive season. In March, he equalled his national record of 5.40m during an invitational meet in Taiwan.
“My goal here in Bhubaneswar is to do my personal best. I enjoyed my practice sessions at the Kalinga Stadium indoor facility. I’m ready to do my best,” the 20-year-old said.
The men’s pole vault qualification mark set by the Athletics Federation of India for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games is 5.25m. The qualification mark for women is 4.45m.
The men’s qualification standard for the Asian Games in Japan later this year is 5.45m, while the corresponding mark for women is 4.10m.
Fourteen pole vaulters will compete in the men’s event, scheduled for the opening day on Saturday. Other prominent competitors in the fray include Kuldeep Kumar of Madhya Pradesh and Reegan G. of Tamil Nadu, who have cleared 5.30m and 5.35m, respectively, this season.
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Seven athletes have confirmed their participation in the men’s U-20 pole vault event.
The women’s pole vault final will be held on Sunday. Eleven athletes have registered for the event, but the focus will be on Baranica, who set a national record of 4.22m during the inaugural National Indoor Championships at the same venue in March.
Overall, more than 80 athletes have confirmed their participation in the meet.
The heptathlon for men and pentathlon for women will be held in the senior and U-20 categories.
The heptathlon events are 60m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1000m. The pentathlon events are 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800m.
Published on May 01, 2026