National Athletics Meet: Dev, Anushka and Jyothi Deliver Record-Breaking Performances in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Records tumbled and Asian Games qualification dreams turned into reality as the floodlit Kalinga Stadium witnessed a spectacular evening of athletics during the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, with standout performances from pole vaulter Dev Meena, hammer thrower Anushka Yadav and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji stealing the spotlight.

The evening session produced a series of high-quality performances, with multiple athletes surpassing the qualification standards for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, underlining the growing competitiveness of Indian athletics.

Leading the charge was Madhya Pradesh’s Dev Meena, who scripted history in men’s pole vault by clearing 5.46m, setting a new national record and improving upon his own previous mark of 5.45m, which he jointly held with training partner Kuldeep Kumar. His effort also comfortably crossed the Asian Games qualification standard of 5.45m.

Reflecting on the achievement, Dev said he was delighted to improve the national record ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and described the competition as highly competitive. Notably, all three medal winners in pole vault surpassed the previous meet record of 5.20m, set in 2025.

At the throwing arena, 18-year-old Anushka Yadav of Uttar Pradesh delivered one of the biggest moments of the championship. The teenage sensation produced a massive throw of 67.02m in women’s hammer throw to win gold, break both the national and meet records, and secure qualification for the Asian Games.

Her throw eclipsed the previous national record of 65.25m, set by Sarita A Singh in 2017, and also bettered the championship record of 65.03m, established in 2023. An emotional Anushka credited her family for supporting her comeback after dealing with injury setbacks earlier this year and expressed joy at earning a place for the Asian Games.

Another emotional highlight came through Asian Games silver medallist Jyothi Yarraji, who made an impressive return after nearly a year away from competition due to injury. Competing in the women’s 100m hurdles, Yarraji clocked 12.99 seconds to win gold and comfortably breach the Asian Games qualification mark of 13.34 seconds.

Yarraji said her comeback carried special significance as she returned to competition almost exactly one year after suffering the injury that kept her out of action. Tamil Nadu’s Nandhini K claimed silver in 13.22 seconds, also securing qualification for the Asian Games.

Tamil Nadu continued its strong showing through Lasha Ilango, who captured gold in women’s triple jump with a leap of 13.89m, breaking the meet record and surpassing the qualification standard.

Earlier in the day, Gulveer Singh of Uttar Pradesh dominated the men’s 5,000m event to secure gold, while the men’s 800m heats witnessed an encouraging trend as more than ten athletes bettered the Asian Games qualification benchmark.

Among Odisha athletes, Pragyan Prasanti Sahu finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles with a timing of 13.48 seconds.

The championship at Kalinga Stadium continues to serve as a major platform for Indian athletes aiming to secure places for the continental showpiece later this year.