Praveen Kumar Wins Sixth Gold for India at Paris Paralympics

India’s Praveen Kumar claimed gold in the men’s high jump T64 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, clearing 2.08 meters. This marks his second Paralympic medal after winning silver in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, where he achieved a personal best of 2.07 meters. His latest win is a continuation of his impressive journey on the global stage.

Praveen Kumar, a 21-year-old athlete from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, became only the second Indian to win gold in Paralympic high jump, following Mariyappan Thangavelu. Despite being born with a shorter leg, he delivered a season-best jump of 2.08 meters in a competitive field of six to top the podium.

High Jump T64 Event Highlights

In this event, USA’s Derek Loccident secured silver with a jump of 2.06 meters, while Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov earned bronze with a personal best of 2.03 meters. Praveen Kumar competes in the T44 category, which is for athletes with lower leg movement limitations. The T64 category, on the other hand, is for athletes with moderate impairments in one lower leg or those missing one or both legs below the knee.

With Praveen’s gold medal, India’s medal count at the Paris Paralympics now stands at 26, which includes six gold, nine silver, and eleven bronze. He also became the third Indian high jumper to win a medal in Paris, alongside Sharad Kumar, who won silver, and Mariyappan Thangavelu, who earned bronze in the T63 event.

Who is Praveen Kumar?

Praveen Kumar, born in Govindgarh, Noida, made history as the youngest para-athlete from India to win a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. He secured a silver medal in the men’s high jump T64 category with a 2.07-meter jump, an unforgettable achievement for Indian athletics.

Praveen Kumar’s life journey was filled with challenges. He was born with a shorter leg, which initially led to feelings of inferiority among his peers. However, he found solace and strength in sports, especially volleyball, before discovering his true talent in the high jump during a competition for able-bodied athletes. This event transformed his life as he realized the possibilities available to para-athletes.

Under the guidance of Dr. Satyapal Singh, a para-athletics coach who saw his potential, Praveen Kumar shifted his focus entirely to high jump. This decision was a defining moment in his career. In 2022, he won a gold medal at the Asian Para Games with a record-setting 2.05-meter jump, cementing his status as a top athlete.

Praveen Kumar’s Journey to the Top

Praveen Kumar’s success is not limited to the Paralympics. He won a silver medal at the 2019 World Para Athletics Junior Championship in Nottwil, Switzerland. In 2021, he grabbed gold at the World Para Athletics FAZZA Grand Prix in Dubai, where he set a new Asian record. Most recently, he secured a bronze medal at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championship, which further proved his consistency and earned him a spot at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

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