Bhubaneswar welcomes elite vaulters chasing international qualifying standards.
National record holder Dev Kumar Meena leads a high-profile field as the inaugural Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition 2026 kicks off this Saturday in Bhubaneswar. Hosted at the state-of-the-art indoor facility within the Kalinga Stadium complex, this two-day meet serves as a crucial platform for athletes aiming to secure spots for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan.
Dev Kumar Meena Eyes Personal Best
Madhya Pradesh sensation Dev Kumar Meena arrives in Odisha’s capital with momentum following a standout season. The 20-year-old recently matched his own national mark of 5.40m during an invitational event in Taiwan this past March. Having reached 5.25m in recent domestic outings, Meena is focused on surpassing his current limits on the fast indoor track. He has expressed high confidence after early practice sessions at the venue, noting his readiness to challenge the 5.45m Asian Games qualification barrier.
High Stakes for International Qualification
Athletes are competing under strict performance metrics established by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). While the men’s pole vault entry standard for the Commonwealth Games is set at 5.25m—a height Meena has frequently cleared—the 5.45m requirement for the Japan Asian Games remains a primary target. Achieving this would represent a historic leap for Indian pole vaulting. Fourteen competitors will feature in the men’s senior category on Saturday, including Madhya Pradesh’s Kuldeep Kumar and Tamil Nadu’s Reegan G.
Focus on Women’s National Record
Sunday's schedule highlights the women’s pole vault final, where Baranica Elangovan stands as the clear favorite. Elangovan recently established a new indoor national record of 4.22m at this same venue during the National Indoor Championships in March. With the Glasgow qualification mark sitting at 4.45m, she will look to bridge the gap in front of an appreciative Odisha crowd.
This competition further cements Bhubaneswar's reputation as the "Sports Capital of India," a title earned through its consistent hosting of world-class events like the Hockey World Cup and upcoming global athletics meets.
