DEHRADUN, Feb. 12 -- The 38th National Games in Uttarakhand marked a remarkable milestone as 19-year-old Dev Meena established a new Indian record in men's pole vault. Competing in Dehradun, he cleared an impressive 5.32 meters to clinch the gold medal, successfully defending his title from the 2023 National Games held in Goa. Dev began his athletic journey as a 400m sprinter at TT Nagar Sports Complex in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. However, he faced challenges in making a significant impact and was on the verge of quitting sports altogether. His coach, Ghanshyam, recognized his potential due to his height and strong grip, encouraging him to transition to pole vaulting. Initially, Dev kept this decision from his family, as pole vaulting is know...