Madhya Pradesh pole vaulter Dev Kumar Meena qualified for next year's World U20 Athletics Championships with a 5.16m effort that also fetched him the gold medal at the National Games here on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old unsuccessfully attempted to cross 5.20m at the Bambolim Athletics stadium but said the competition was a valuable learning experience.

"The World U20 scheduled to be held in Lima will be a good opportunity for me to scale new heights," said the trainee of Madhya Pradesh Athletics Academy in Bhopal.

The sprinter-turned-pole vaulter was spotted in November 2020 by the talent search team of the Madhya Pradesh government. He was initially selected for short sprints, but later switched to pole vault as he showed more interest in the jumping event.

Khade retires

Veteran Indian swimmer Virdhawal Khade has retired from domestic competitions after winning the 50m freestyle gold.

Khade touched the wall to pip India's upcoming swimming sensation Srihari Nataraj for the 50m freestyle gold on Tuesday night.

It was clear from the celebration that the performance meant something more for the man who became the youngest Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics back in 2008.

He had then ended India's 24-year wait for a swimming medal at the Asian Games in 2010 with a bronze in 50m butterfly.