Commonwealth Games 2026: All you need to know about Kuldeep Kumar

Kuldeep Kumar has emerged as one of India's most promising field event athletes after a breakthrough 2026 season that saw him rewrite the national record books in the men's pole vault.

At just 21, the Madhya Pradesh athlete has rapidly established himself among the country's best vaulters, earning a place in India's squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

His record-breaking performances have also marked the beginning of a new era for Indian pole vaulting, with Kuldeep and fellow vaulter Dev Kumar Meena raising the standards in an event where India has traditionally lacked depth.

Early days

Born on March 12, 2005, Kuldeep Kumar hails from Madhya Pradesh and represents the state in national competitions. While little is publicly known about his early life and family background, he developed his pole vaulting career through Madhya Pradesh's athletics system.

Kuldeep trains alongside fellow pole vaulter Dev Kumar Meena, with the pair becoming central figures in India's resurgence in the event. Their healthy competition has contributed significantly to the rapid improvement in national standards over the past two seasons.

Rising through the ranks

Pole vault is among athletics' most technically demanding disciplines, requiring a combination of speed, strength, coordination and precision. Kuldeep steadily progressed through the domestic circuit before announcing himself on the national stage in 2026.

His breakthrough came at the inaugural Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition in Bhubaneswar. Competing indoors for the first time, Kuldeep cleared 5.41m on his very first attempt to set a new Indian national record.

The mark surpassed the previous national record of 5.40m, set by Dev Kumar Meena in 2025, while also establishing a new national indoor best.

Although he was unable to clear 5.46m later in the competition, the performance highlighted his ability to adapt quickly to indoor conditions and faster Mondo surfaces.

Record-breaking season

Kuldeep's progress did not stop with the national record.

Later in May 2026, he improved his personal best to 5.45m at the National Senior Athletics Championships in Ranchi, extending his own record and further cementing his place as India's leading pole vaulter.

The performances represented a significant leap for Indian pole vaulting, with Kuldeep consistently pushing the national benchmark higher while competing alongside Dev Kumar Meena.

Their rivalry has created healthy competition within the discipline and provided India with greater depth in an event that has traditionally received limited attention.

His rapid improvement also elevated him into the world's top 200 pole vaulters and strengthened his credentials ahead of major international competitions.

Eyes on Commonwealth Games glory

Kuldeep's record-breaking campaign earned him selection for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he will compete alongside Dev Kumar Meena in the men's pole vault.

The duo represents India's strongest pole vault contingent in recent years and will also have their sights set on future continental competitions, including the Asian Games.

Still only 21, Kuldeep has already established himself as the national record holder and one of the country's brightest field event prospects.

His rise from a domestic athlete to Commonwealth Games representative within a short span reflects his potential, while his performances suggest there is still considerable room for improvement.